The New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs are going in opposite directions, which is why a Damon Harrison trade makes sense for both sides.
For the second year in a row, the New York Giants have started a season at 1-5 and whether ownership will admit it or not, the team is clearly in rebuilding mode. Their franchise quarterback, Eli Manning, is 37 and regressing, and the team has several holes they need to fill.
The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the best teams in the NFL and through six weeks have scored an NFL-high 215 points. However, their defense has given up 172 points, which is the third most in the AFC, and their porous defense has the potential to derail their Super Bowl aspirations.
This is why the Giants should consider trading one of their best defensive players, Damon “Snacks” Harrison, to the Chiefs in exchange for a draft pick.
Harrison, who turns 30 next month, has once again been solid this season as he’s tied for fourth on the team in tackles with 28, and has forced a fumble. Recently, Pro Football Focus gave him the highest ranking of any Giants defender this season (89.8).
#Giants top 5 graded defensive players so far this season (min. 100 snaps):
1. Damon Harrison- 89.8
2. Landon Collins- 76.8
3. Kerry Wynn- 73.1
4. B.J. Goodson- 69.5
5. Eli Apple- 68.5#GiantsPride— PFF NY Giants (@PFF_Giants) October 14, 2018
But Harrison’s play is essentially going to waste as the team is tied for the worst record in the NFL. The Giants have won four out of their last 22 games, so it’s unrealistic to think they can win eight out of their remaining 10 games to have any shot at the playoffs.
It’s officially time to look at the future.
In the offseason, the Giants will need to find a young quarterback and edge pass rusher while also rebuilding their offensive line. This is a daunting task especially since the team doesn’t have a third-round pick after acquiring Western Michigan cornerback Sam Beal in the Supplemental draft.
By the time the Giants are ready to be contenders again, Harrison will be past his prime. So the Giants should consider trading him to speed up their rebuilding process, and the perfect team to trade him to is the Chiefs.
The Chiefs’ offense, led by Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill, has been unstoppable as they’ve scored at least 27 points in each of their games this season.
But defense ultimately wins championships and the Chiefs defense has been putrid this season, allowing 28 points per game. Their defense was exposed for the whole world to see on Sunday Night Football as they were defeated by the New England Patriots by a final of 43-40.
In that game, the defense allowed 500 yards and 31 first downs. Perhaps the most glaring stat was the 173 yards they gave up on the ground.
Another game, another TD for @Flyguy2stackz.#KCvsNE | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/47Gu5o3EBH
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 15, 2018
After that performance, you would have to be concerned if you’re a Chiefs fan on how the team would fare against the Patriots if they met them again in January when the Patriots historically play their best football.
The Chiefs will get some defensive help as Eric Berry and Justin Houston will return at some point this season. But acquiring a player the caliber of Harrison who is one of the best run stoppers in the league could put them over the top and make them the overwhelming favorites to represent the AFC in Super Bowl 53.
Now the question is, “What would they’d be willing to give up to acquire Snacks?”
The Chiefs have two second-round picks in the 2019 draft due to trading cornerback Marcus Peters to the Rams. So they might be willing to trade one of their second-round picks along with possibly a late-round pick for Harrison.
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 4 p.m. ET. It would be in the best long-term interest of the New York Giants if general manager Dave Gettleman should call the Kansas City Chiefs to see what they’d be willing to give up for the beast known as Damon Harrison.
The trade makes too much sense for both teams. Now the question is, will it happen?
