The New York Giants are parting ways with DE Jason Pierre-Paul in exchange for picks as the team prepares for the upcoming draft.
The New York Giants are doing some pre-draft jockeying as they make a huge splash by trading away Jason Pierre-Paul to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Giants are trading Pierre-Paul and a 2018 fourth-round pick to Tampa Bay for a 2018 third-round pick and a fourth-round pick.
Another blockbuster trade: Giants trading DE Jason Pierre-Paul and a 2018 fourth-round pick to Buccaneers for a 2018 third-round pick and a fourth-round pick, source tells ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 22, 2018
JPP had his fair share of drama with the Giants, including the fireworks accident that put his career in jeopardy and took away part of his hand, but it’s impossible to overlook the success he had in New York. Pierre-Paul was an All-Pro in the Giants 2011 Super Bowl season, racking up 16.5 sacks. Despite never reaching that level of production, he has remained a force on the defensive line. He accrued 15.5 sacks in his last two seasons, which are respectable numbers for certain.
This is a huge move for the Giants and could signal their intentions in the draft that is mere weeks away. Big Blue has historically placed a strong emphasis on the defensive front. This doesn’t mean they are going away from that, but it could mean that they are attempting to make that front younger.
Bradley Chubb is a highly touted defensive end out of NC State and it would not be shocking if the Giants have their sights set on him. They will definitely have the chance to take him with the second overall pick, but they could also be setting themselves up to trade down with a team that wants to jump into the quarterback feeding frenzy that is the top of the draft.
The Denver Broncos signed Case Keenum this offseason, but they are certainly still in the market for drafting a quarterback. By trading up with the Giants, they would ensure that they get one of the top two quarterbacks in the draft. Additionally, the Giants would most likely be able to get Chubb with the number five pick.
Clearly, the new regime in New York has an idea where they want to go and JPP doesn’t fit that vision. It will be interesting to see how the dominoes fall after this move because it may be the first of a series of moves the Giants are planning.
