Dexter Lawrence’s splash play impact has transformed Bengals' defense

The Cincinnati Bengals still have room for improvement on defense, but it's undeniable that they hit an absolute grand slam with their Dexter Lawrence trade.

Not only was the compensation rather minimal (the 10th overall pick in a weak draft), but Lawrence's contract is a highly manageable three years and $70 million. Sexy Dexy may demand a raise this offseason. Let's just enjoy this for what it is, though.

After Jeffery Simmons went from Tennessee to Chicago for two first-round picks yesterday, the Lawrence trade looks even better. And the on-field numbers prove that the mammoth All-Pro nose tackle is living up to the hype beyond the lazy box score scouting of his four sacks in six games.

Advanced data highlights Lawrence's singular ability to wreak havoc

It's legit comical how easily Dexter Lawrence capitalizes in one-on-one matchups on the rare occasions he actually draws them:

With Lawrence eating up double teams at no less than 80% of his snaps, look at how that's opened up other players on the defense to make huge plays:

Boye Mafe's team-high 4.5 sacks can attest to this. Not to take anything away from my guy Mafe, but Lawrence has been every bit the force multiplier he was advertised to be.

Those who thought he was coming off a down year with the New York Giants and could be a declining player? We're laughing at y'all.

In high-leverage moments, Lawrence has been big time. His 4th and short run stop on the Houston Texans in Week 2 still sticks in my mind as one of the best plays of the season. But it goes well beyond one play; the Bengals have denied opponents on six of seven fourth downs through Week 7.

Prior to the Green Bay Packers sacking Bryce Young six times on Thursday night to kick off Week 8, Cincinnati matched the league lead with 21 sacks. Much of that can be attributed to the attention Lawrence draws from the Bengals' adversaries in the trenches.

More than that, though, Sexy Dexy is helping to totally flip the narrative on all the punishment Joe Burrow has endured throughout his career.

With a better defense anchored by Lawrence, the Bengals can be ever so slightly less predictable on offense. Their o-line returned all five starters from last year, which helps, but it's really yet another testament to how great Lawrence is that the above graphic is even close to becoming realized.

Could the Bengals still improve even more on defense?

I say yes as long as Dexter Lawrence is on the field. His latest up-to-date on/off splits aren't at my fingertips, but suffice it to say, it gets ugly when Dexy ain't on. the gridiron.

While Lawrence has put the Bengals in great position with a lot of his immediate disruption, there's a discouraging sort of bend-but-don't-break dynamic to this group. The biggest red flags: Cincinnati is 30th in third down defense and allows 4.7 yards per carry.

The slightest improvement in those departments would do wonders for the Bengals' outlook the rest of the way. Considering the defense had so many new pieces to integrate this season, and that the schedule is arguably the easiest remaining in the NFL, this Lawrence-led D could look downright scary starting the day after Halloween versus the Titans.

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