By Michael Stewart/@TheTruthNYG
Trade Deadline Approaching
The clock is ticking as the Giants are only a few days away from the trading deadline (November 2nd). Head Coach Joe Judge was recently quoted as stating “I like to think long-term at the trading deadline if the right situation presents itself”. There’s a couple of ways to read into that statement and Giant fans hope it’s not surrendering draft picks for a player like they did in the Leonard Williams deadline trade a couple of seasons ago. The Giants unfortunately will not get a king’s ransom back in return based on the players projected as trade candidates. However; that shouldn’t stop them from adding draft capital for the upcoming draft and futures drafts even if the return will be Day 3 value.
Have a Plan and Sticking to it
This is just my opinion, but I would strongly recommend to Dave Gettleman, Joe Judge and the Giants organization that their only course of action should be as sellers at the deadline and only look to gain draft capital and not a player/players. Currently at 2-5 and two more upcoming games between the Chiefs and Raiders before their bye week, the Giants could certainly find themselves sitting at 2-7 and then must face the defending Super Bowl Champions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers right after their bye week presents a strong scenario of looking at a 2-8 record.
Cap Implications
Depending on which website you look at, Over the Cap is projecting the Giants with roughly $3.5M where as Spotrac has them at roughly $1.8M. Either way both projections are not very promising. Last off season Kevin Abrams worked his magic and manage to maneuver the cap numbers to the Giants favor which resulted in a very aggressive off season in free agency. However; don’t expect a repeat performance this upcoming off season as the Giants cap space will be limited.
Players on the Hot Seat
Let’s face it Giant fans, the Giants really don’t have much to offer the other teams who will be looking to be buyers at the deadline. Jabrill Peppers was a consideration, but now with his injury, the Giants can’t move him. Evan Engram has drawn interest and at best the Giants will get a Day 3 pick. Other candidates with expiring contracts such as Lorenzo Carter and Will Hernandez would most likely get the Giants a late Day 3 pick, but don’t expect Hernandez to be going anywhere with the state of the offensive line right now and he is actually the best linemen overall aside from Andrew Thomas before his injuries. Another player has emerged as a trade candidate and that is wide receiver Darius Slayton who has seen his playing time dismiss as the season progresses. Slayton still has another season remaining on his rookie deal ($965K) in 2022, but that shouldn’t stop the Giants from swinging a deal if a willing partner emerges.