Unfortunately for the New York Giants, it is time to start thinking about the trade deadline. The Giants are sitting 0-3 and lost arguably their easiest game of the 2021 season.
Thus far, Joe Judge’s team is underachieving by a ton. Expected to be a contender for the division, the players are underperforming and are undisciplined, while the coaching staff lacks confidence in the personnel. James Bradberry is still playing multiple yards off of the receiver he shadows. Daniel Jones and his ability to throw deep is being suppressed by Jason Garrett‘s conservative play calls.
It is impossible to tear this team apart completely since lots of money is invested into players like Bradberry, Kenny Golladay, Leonard Williams, and others. However, they can start evaluating personnel and moving players ahead of the trade deadline.
Here are three players they should move at the NFL trade deadline:
New York Giants Trade Deadline Candidates
Evan Engram
Unfortunately, some of the players on this list do not have much value. Evan Engram may be one of those players. The Giants drafted Engram in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss. He was one of the few players that survived Dave Gettleman’s roster overturn. To this day, the Engram experiment lives on.
In five seasons with Big Blue, Engram remained healthy for a whole season only once. Multiple lower-body injuries have sidelined the former Ole Miss product throughout the years. In the one season he stayed healthy, he was one of the worst players on the Giants offense. He recorded a career-high 11 drops while fumbling once and being the primary cause of six interceptions. Hypothetically, if Engram were not on the field, Jones would have tossed only four interceptions in 2020.
He offers a wide receiver-like threat in the slot and in the middle of the field for many teams looking for it. However, through his years in New York, his blocking has not improved at all. Unfortunately, his inability to get separation against cornerbacks limits his ability on the outside.
Engram is in the final year of his rookie contract. A contending team that needs a tight end that has speed likely takes a flyer on the former Ole Miss product. With his value deteriorating, the Giants would be lucky to get a 3rd-round pick at the most.
Jabrill Peppers
Up to this point, no team has won the Odell Beckham, Jr. trade. Beckham tore his ACL and was out last year for the Cleveland Browns. The year before, he did accumulate over 1,000 yards. However, that did not turn the Browns into a contender in 2019. He should get more receptions with Jarvis Landry hurt.
As for Jabrill Peppers, it seems like he regressed from last year. Peppers recorded 2.5 sacks while recording a career-high 91 tackles and providing the defense with decent coverage on tight ends and running backs. However, his snap count has regressed from last year and he has not been as effective. Kyle Pitts beat him and caught a 25-yard pass that sealed the game for the Atlanta Falcons last week. Unless the Giants move Peppers more in the box now that Blake Martinez is done for the year, Peppers will continue to regress in coverage, and as a safety overall.
Peppers is also in the final year of his rookie contract. If the Giants move him, they will be charged nothing in dead cap money. He is currently on the books with a $6,770,000 salary. At most, the Giants will receive a 4th-round pick for Peppers.
Saquon Barkley
Trading Saquon Barkley would be a tough pill to swallow for John Mara, Dave Gettleman, and the front office. The Giants selected Barkley in the 2018 NFL Draft. The pick sent the message that the Giants wanted to ride with Eli Manning for one more winning season. The 2018 plan failed as the Giants started off 1-7 and traded players like Eli Apple and Damon Harrison.
Barkley put up good rookie numbers in 2018, rushing for over 1,307 yards, catching a franchise record 91 passes, and totaling over 2,000 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns. He also earned a Pro Bowl selection. The following season, he missed three games with a high ankle sprain. Despite being rushed back, Barkley still rushed for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns.
The first year in the Joe Judge era, Barkley played one and a half games and tore his ACL in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears, missing the rest of the season. Barkley has played all three games to start the year, but his vision has regressed. He is running scared and missing holes, though it is worthy to note the offensive line is not helping him. Jones is the leading rusher on the Giants right now.
Barkley is in the fourth year of his rookie contract with one year to go. Trading him would incur a total of $5,191,773 in dead cap space and $4,833,829 in savings. Barkley’s value is lower than anticipated, however, there are 14 games left this season and presumingly 10 games left after the deadline. He has time to turn it around.
The Giants likely receive a 3rd-round pick at most for Barkley.
Outlook
As mentioned, the Giants cannot properly tear down the roster as lots of money is invested in players like Leonard Williams, Adoree Jackson, and others. Receiving mid-round picks is the best return the Giants can ask for at the trade deadline.
Presumptively with a new general manager and head coach, this team needs to build a proper offensive line around Jones and make adjustments to the pass-rush and safety spots. None of the free agents and prospects in next year’s NFL Draft are intriguing.
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