These all make sense if the Giants are focused on the future
If their 2024 season continues to go south, and maybe even if it doesn’t, the New York Giants are far more likely to be sellers than buyers at the NFL trade deadline.
ESPN took an early look at the Nov. 5 trade deadline, and has identified three Giants as potential players GM Joe Schoen could move to acquire more 2025 NFL Draft assets.
The Giants currently have seven selections in the upcoming draft, with the expectation that will rise to eight when compensatory picks are officially awarded after the season. Schoen could look to stock up on assets as the Giants continue to try and build out their roster, especially since the Giants might be in need of draft capital to move up and select a quarterback.
Here are the players ESPN’s Dan Graziano identified as possibilities:
Edge Azeez Ojulari
We have been pointing to Ojulari as a trade candidate for months now. He is a third wheel in the Giants edge room behind Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns. Injuries short-circuited his 2022 and 2023 seasons, lessening his value to the Giants and to teams around the league.
Still, there are likely teams in need of pass rush help that would have a bigger role for him than the Giants currently do. Ojulari is in the final year of his rookie contract and I can’t imagine the Giants re-signing him for 2025.
To me, he is the most logical trade candidate of any player on the Giants’ roster.
WR Darius Slayton
The Giants currently have four wide receivers for three spots, with Slayton taking playing time away from 2023 third-round pick Jalin Hyatt.
That decision by Giants head coach Brian Daboll is actually hard to argue with. Slayton has been the Giants’ best wide receiver in four of his five seasons, and he is a good, proven player. He is also a deep threat who is a favorite, comfortable target for quarterback Daniel Jones. He is, right now, a better player than Hyatt.
Still, the Giants traded up in the 2023 draft to get Hyatt. They believe he can become a big-time play-maker for them. Moving on from Slayton, who is also in the last year of his contract and seems like another player likely to be elsewhere next season, makes sense. Especially if the Giants are not contending and feel like they will be moving on from Jones.
Slayton would likely bring the best return of any Giants trade candidate.
RB Devin Singletary
This one surprised me. ‘Motor’ is a favorite of Schoen and Daboll from their days in Buffalo, and he remains a good player.
He is trickier to trade because he is signed through next season, with a $4.75-million base salary, $3.5 million of which is guaranteed.
Still, if the Giants are going nowhere, adding draft capital and opening carries for youngsters Tyrone Tracy Jr., Eric Gray, and Dante Miller might be worthwhile.
