The New York Giants should undoubtedly be sellers at the Oct. 29 trade deadline. Which players should they look to move?
The 2019 season is shaping up to be another disappointing season for the New York Giants.
The 2-5 start comes as no surprise as the Giants are still in the early stages of the rebuilding process. New York is playing with a rookie quarterback, inexperienced defense and still may not have found the coach that will lead them back to relevance.
Thus, it would be wise for the Giants to continue stocking up on draft picks and dump some salary to build for the future.
Last season the Giants were active sellers at the trade deadline. They traded Damon “Snacks” Harrison to the Detroit Lions for a fifth-round pick and Eli Apple to the New Orleans Saints for a 2019 fourth-rounder and 2020 seventh-rounder.
Big Blue traded the 2019 selections to the Seattle Seahawks for the 30th overall pick in the draft that they used on DeAndre Baker, who has shown great promise despite a slow start.
The selling approach worked in 2018, which should allow the Giants to use it again this season.
The question is, who should the Giants try to ship out? Here are three names they should consider moving elsewhere.
Janoris Jenkins
It came as a surprise to some that the Giants held onto Janoris Jenkins during last season’s trade deadline and the offseason. However, now appears like the perfect time to finally pull the trigger on a Jenkins trade.
Jenkins has struggled at times this season but also won NFC defensive player of the week during the Giants win over the Redskins on Sept. 29 after grabbing two interceptions. Jack Rabbit also picked off Tom Brady in New England on Oct. 10 and has defended eight passes this season.
Overall, Jenkins is an eight-year veteran that has been named a pro bowler and second-team all-pro. Thus a contending team needing a corner would likely be willing to part with a mid-round draft pick for his services.
Potential Suitors: Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders Seattle Seahawks
Nate Solder
The Nate Solder signing has not worked out for Dave Gettleman and the Giants. New York made the former Patriot the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL prior to the 2018 season, but his play suggests that it was a massive mistake.
Solder, who won two super bowls with the Patriots has not been able to protect Eli Manning and Daniel Jones the way he used to keep Tom Brady upright.
In 2018, Solder allowed a carer high eight sacks and is on pace to shatter that mark this season. Despite this, a change of scenery could help the former champion get back on track.
Solder simply has far too much talent to perform the way he has in New York. While no one will make excuses, issues behind the scenes could be affecting his play as a Giant, and his resume with New England proves this theory. Thus the Giants should look to help make up for their poor investment by landing a mid-late round draft pick.
Potential Suitors: Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings
Golden Tate
Despite just signing Golden Tate to a four-year, 37 million dollar deal this past offseason selling high on the former pro-bowler could prove wise.
Tate missed the four three games of the season after serving a suspension for PED use. In his first three games on the field, Tate has been productive as he’s hauled in 15 receptions for 195 yards and a touchdown. However, the Giants simply don’t need to keep Tate for four seasons.
Sterling Sheppard inked a contract extension this off-season that will keep him in New York through the 2023 season. In addition, 2019 fifth-round pick Darius Slayton has turned heads with 189 yards and a touchdown in just five games this season.
New York also figures to be on there way to securing a top ten draft pick in the 2020 draft. There’s been speculation regardless that the Giants may use that pick on Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy or Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb. Thus, if they do, there simply isn’t a need for Tate and his large contract.
While trading a player newly signed is rare, the Giants should consider it if the opportunity presents itself as at age 30, Tate’s trade value will only decrease.
Potential Suitors: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers
Honorable Mention: Rhett Ellison
A final name the Giants could look to move is tight end Rhett Ellison, who is under contract through 2020 on a hefty contract despite being mostly a blocking tight end.
Thus, moving Ellison to a team needing a tight end such as New England and allowing a younger player to move into his role would make a lot of sense for a rebuilding Giants team needing cap space and draft capital.
