New York Giants: Three Potential Targets At The Trade Deadline

The NFL isn’t known for much activity during their trade deadline, but if the New York Giants are wise, they should use it to their advantage.

The money-making machine — otherwise known as the NFL — has no problem making every little thing seem like a big deal. But a time that the other three major sports excel in is the league’s most irrelevant time of the year.

As most of you probably don’t know, the NFL Trade Deadline is on November 1. And a time where baseball, basketball, and hockey fans are glued to their television set for hours, fans of the gridiron are going about their normal day.

Have there been any big names moved at the deadline? Sure.

Some have even made an impact. Just look back at 2009, when the Seattle Seahawks traded for Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch, a move that made the organization go from afterthought to powerhouse.

As expected, that isn’t always the case. Just two seasons later, the Oakland Raiders — who just lost quarterback Jason Campbell after a 4-2 start — sent a first-round pick and a second-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals to acquire their “retired” signal-caller, Carson Palmer. The result? Palmer went 12-20 in silver and black while the Bengals acquired two contributors in Dre Kirkpatrick and Giovanni Bernard.

With the deadline days away, it’s always fun to look at where players may head — that is if a trade is even made.

But if there is one football team that should be active, it’s the New York Giants.

While they’re sitting at 4-3 and enjoying their bye week, they have enough talent to make a run at an NFC East title. Since they’re just a couple of pieces away, the trade market may be exactly where they need to look for reinforcements.

But who should General Manager Jerry Reese look to for help? Let’s take a look.

Marcedes Lewis, Tight End, Jacksonville Jaguars

Is Marcedes Lewis an ideal fit? Not necessarily. Not only is his age (32) a detriment, but his three-year, $12 million contract that was signed this past offseason isn’t an ideal number to have on the books.

But the Giants’ tight end position has been absolutely dreadful. And although Lewis is passed his prime, he would prove to be an upgraded over Larry Donnell, Will Tye, and Jerrell Adams.

Since the Jaguars inked Julius Thomas to a big free agent deal, Lewis has been relegated to bench duties. Seen as a dual-threat tight end, he’s now known as a blocker in the pass and run game more than anything else.

If there is anything the Giants need, it’s a big-bodied, blocking tight end. The 10-year veteran can provide just that. While his presence on the line of scrimmage will surely be a positive, his 6’6, 280-pound frame would be used as a target as well. Although Eli Manning won’t look to him a lot, it’ll be nice to have a consistent force at the position, something he hasn’t had in years.

Again, his age and contract are huge reasons why Reese may look elsewhere. But Donnell is a lost cause, Tye hasn’t replicated his rookie success and Adams can use veteran guidance. Lewis could be a strong fit in blue.

Seantrel Henderson, Offensive Tackle, Buffalo Bills

For the weakest position on the Giants roster, it’s truly a toss-up between tight end and offensive line. We addressed the first, now let’s discuss the latter.

The interior of the line has been steady. Since making his move to guard, former first-round pick Justin Pugh continues to establish himself as one of the best at his position. Veteran John Jerry may not stand out, but he’s a steady presence opposite of Pugh. And although Weston Richburg seems to have taken a half-step back this season, the third-year center is still competing at a high level.

The tackles, however, are another story. While Ereck Flowers and Bobby Hart have shown slight signs of progress, the position is a huge area of need.

Joe Thomas would be a great add, but the price tag would be high. Reese should set his sights on someone who is young, cheap and has upside. And that could be Seantrel Henderson.

Henderson may be coming off a four-game suspension while also dealing with a serious case of Chron’s disease. But the 2014 seventh-round pick proved to be a dominant right tackle, starting every game in his rookie season. But since he’s buried in the depth chart, he could be had for a cheap price. And if he is, there is no reason why Reese shouldn’t be all over him.

Jamaal Charles, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs

Let’s make it three straight offensive positions of need, shall we?

There isn’t a lack of talent at the running back position. Rashad Jennings is a sturdy veteran. Before Shane Vereen tore his triceps, he was a great pass-catcher and blocker. Now, Bobby Rainey is trying to do the same. Orleans Darkwa is a hard runner, while rookie Paul Perkins has shown spurts of potential in limited duty.

But any way you slice it, there are no game-changers lining up in the Giants backfield.

There is one, however, that could be had in a trade. Who, you ask? Jamaal Charles.

Once one of the elite running backs in the NFL, Charles has had to go through to devastating knee injuries. Couple that with the fact that Spencer Ware is fully entrenched as the Chiefs starter and Charles could be on the chopping block.

Although he has two torn ACL’s on is resume and closing in on 30-years old, there may be something left in the tank. At his best, Charles is a true dual-threat back, as his running and pass-catching skills aren’t matched by many. If he were to line up next to Eli Manning, he wouldn’t only free up the offense for Odell Beckham Jr, Sterling Shepard, and Victor Cruz, but he would add a completely new dimension to the unit.

Since Charles is a free agent after this season, the asking price may not be as high as many expect. If there’s even a slight chance that he can be had, Reese needs to make him a New York Giant.