The level of activity at the NFL trade deadline is much like the stock market. Some years, it can be a bull market with trades on the rise. Other seasons, the market can be a bear that offers no significant trades of value. For the New York Giants, their approach to the trade deadline has been a bit of a head-scratcher under general manager Dave Gettleman.
At last season’s NFL trade deadline, the Giants were 2-6 and in the midst of a four-game losing streak. The odds were high the franchise would remain quiet barring a last-minute deal to acquire draft choices for that spring’s player draft. But Gettleman threw everyone a curveball on that October 29th day.
He traded two draft choices (2020 third-round pick and 2021 fifth-round pick) to their crosstown rival, the New York Jets, for Leonard Williams. Clearly, Gettleman over-played his hand as the Giants had needs on the defense, but not for a run-stuffing down lineman. Plus, Williams was going to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. To make matters worse, Gettleman failed to sign him to a long-term deal after placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on Williams this past summer.
But that was then and this is now. The Giants need to be sellers as they have talented players who can help a contending team secure a playoff berth this season.
Heading towards the final hours of the trade deadline, here is a prediction, a hope, and a wish for the Giants.
A Prediction, Hope and Wish for the Giants at the NFL Trade Deadline
Prediction: Golden Tate to the New Orleans Saints
Injuries are a part of the NFL culture. Teams that can stay relatively injury-free, usually are contending for a Super Bowl title. However, the amount of injuries sustained by the New Orleans Saints receiving corps has nearly decimated the unit. Their star wideout, Michael Thomas, has been out of the lineup since Week 1 with a high ankle sprain, Emmanuel Sanders is on the team’s COVID-19 reserve list and Marquez Callaway is sidelined with an undisclosed ankle injury.
Still, the Saints continue to win (5-2) without their heralded passing offense intact. After Week 8, the Saints leading receiver is Alvin Kamara with 556 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions. But, the competition is going to get more difficult (Tampa Bay Buccaneers on 11/8 and Kansas City Chiefs on 12/20) in the coming weeks. Saints head coach Sean Payton might be forced to trade for immediate reinforcements to aid his crippling passing attack.
Acquiring Golden Tate adds another quality possession receiver into the mix. His production will not equal Thomas’ nor Callaway’s, but Tate runs precision pass routes and makes touch catches in heavy traffic that keeps drives alive. This skill set fits perfectly into what Payton wants to accomplish with his passing game.
For Tate, his career would be extended by playing with another Super Bowl contending team. His work is done with the Giants. Especially with the presence of several promising, young receivers on the roster who need playing time to progress.
Both teams need to make this move.
Hope: Trade Leonard Williams
One trend in the NFL that has been quite noticeable is how the defense seems to be one step behind the offense all season long. This has to be quite discouraging for a number of playoff contenders heading into November. But from the Giants perspective, Gettleman may receive his fair share of calls from his fellow general managers who are trying to strengthen their defensive unit.
A likely candidate to be moved off the Giants roster is Leonard Williams. Granted, he would only be a rental acquisition for his new team, but it makes no sense for the Giants to keep him in his walk year. Plus, the Giants have more than enough defensive line talent to make up for his loss. Gettleman needs to find a trade partner that is willing to mortgage their future to bolster the defense.
Wish: Trade Evan Engram
The odds are high that Evan Engram will remain a Giant following the trade deadline. But, Gettleman should see the writing on the wall that it is time to move Engram off the roster. Whether it is his inconsistency with catching the football, coupled with the injuries that have kept him off the field for a considerable amount of time, it is time for Engram to go.
All of these variables have contributed to the young tight end’s struggles in becoming a reliable playmaker. Still, Engram has talent and some value on the trade market. There is always a team willing to take a chance on a player like Engram. They believe their coaching staff can build the rapport needed to get the most out of a high draft pick who failed to play up to expectations elsewhere. Gettleman may pull the trigger on a trade if he can gain the right amount of draft picks in return.
