The NFL trade deadline is approaching and only a few days away. This weekend’s games have huge implications when determining team decisions. Tuesday, November 5 at 4:00 P.M., the trade deadline will end for the 2024 season. Sitting alone with a losing record at the bottom of the NFC East, the million-dollar question lingers: Should the New York Giants buy or sell before the trade deadline? Should they invest in current talent by trading away future draft picks or take a step back by trading away assets for more picks? That leaves the Giants’ front office to think about how much netting on-field contributors today is worth versus how much long-term value there is in stacking draft capital. These decisions will determine the team’s future direction. After a decade of gloomy seasons that reflect one another, Giants fans are eager to get back to winning meaningful football games.
New York Giants Trade Deadline: Buyers or Sellers?
A Future-Focused Strategy
As the NFL season is nearing its midway point and playoff pictures are starting to form, teams with losing records must come to grips with reassessing their immediate futures. For the Giants, the time would be now to reevaluate strategy toward a course of action: acquiring draft picks and building toward the future. With the deadline just a week away, one of the players who has been gaining a lot of attention in trade talk is edge rusher Azeez Ojulari, who has become much more valuable due to a recent performance with the deadline approaching.
The 24-year-old Ojulari has mounted 8.5 sacks in his last 19 games with the Giants. What stands out, though, is that his production has risen significantly when Kayvon Thibodeaux was out, underlining his ability when called upon. With the Giants already invested in their defensive line with a large chunk of resources by paying for Brian Burns and using a top-five draft pick on Thibodeaux, a move involving Ojulari makes sense. Approaching free agency after this season, based on the salary cap situation, the Giants likely cannot fit his next contract. Thus, dealing him for a fifth-round selection could be smart since they are sure to get value back instead of losing him for nothing.
The Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, and San Francisco 49ers reportedly are monitoring Ojulari. These organizations could value the developmental upside of a young player who can help their respective defenses improve. For Big Blue, going young isn’t just about taking care of the present but building toward a more promising future. The clock is ticking for General Manager Joe Schoen, and that trade deadline is approaching. Will the Giants make a move?
Status of Key Player
Entering the Giants’ Week 9 matchup with the Washington Commanders, Darius Slayton’s first season with the Giants, he has been an attribute to the offense, hauling in 29 receptions on 47 targets for 420 yards and a single score throughout eight games. Slayton’s in the last year of his deal, and there’s been a lot of speculation about his future, but with other receivers like Malik Nabers in the fold, Slayton remains a focus. According to multiple NFL insiders, while trade interest is out there, the Giants are giving serious thought to what they will do with him.
For wideouts, the active participation of the Rams in Cooper Kupp and the Jets in Mike Williams in trade talks heats the receiver market. This being said, the apparent lack of confidence that seems to emanate from the Giants about Jalin Hyatt cements Slayton’s role further, and he probably won’t be dealt with ahead of the deadline. With all these dynamics in place, it would appear that Slayton will be your mainstay for this team on offense moving forward.
Exploring Bold Moves
Theoretically, the Giants, at 2-6 and dead last in the NFC East, should be selling to stockpile draft picks. If the Giants were to pull off a surprise move, getting someone like Anthony Richardson is an interesting decision. Having been benched after just ten games of his young career, the potential is indeed there. Due to his tremendous upside, the Indianapolis Colts took a massive risk in drafting him as a project quarterback. If the Giants feel that Richardson, under proper coaching, can become a franchise quarterback, giving up a third or fourth-round pick on him may not be such a bad gamble. This fits into their big picture while adding a new wrinkle to the team’s offense.
Even more promising is the opportunity for a young quarterback like Richardson to progress under Brian Daboll. Daboll served as the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills from 2018 to 2021, where he played a crucial role in developing Josh Allen into one of the league’s top quarterbacks. With Daboll’s proven track record of maximizing quarterback potential, Richardson could benefit significantly from his guidance, which would enhance his skills and help him navigate the challenges of the NFL. If the Giants think they can get anywhere near that with Richardson, it would be worth spending a third or fourth-round pick to find out. It might finally unlock Richardson’s high ceiling with Daboll’s coaching, fitting the team’s future needs and reinvigorating their offense.
A calculated risk on him might be a game-changer if they think Richardson presents a better option than any of the quarterbacks coming up in the next draft. These will be some of the conversations that will take place, adding immediate needs versus future potential as they approach this trade deadline.
Main Image: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
