The Giants got a much-needed win in Week 7, upsetting the Panthers to get even with the Eagles and Washington in the NFC East basement. But they are still just 2-5, face to face with potentially their eighth losing season in 10 years. Questions remain about the future of coach Joe Judge and general manager Dave Gettleman. Both the staff and roster demand some major changes.
With that in mind, there’s no doubt New York should be selling — not buying — ahead of the 2021 NFL trade deadline on Nov. 2.
Below, you’ll find some of the biggest names the Giants should be shopping. But first, a quick explanation why a certain star running back is not among them: Saquon Barkley would normally be the prime candidate to auction off right now. He’s a young elite playmaker when healthy, but he’s not necessarily due a lucrative commitment and could accelerate the inevitable rebuild by returning premium picks. The problem is, Barkley hasn’t been healthy and/or productive for two years now; his value has rarely been lower. The best scenario there is for Barkley to get right, stay on the field and then be shopped for a bigger haul this coming offseason.
Now, here are some Giants who could or should be moved immediately:
He is long overdue for a change of scenery. The athleticism has never been an issue, just the reliability. But let’s say you’re the Bills or the Buccaneers and want more depth/flexibility for a title run; his upside could be worth a late-round flyer. Either way, the Giants shouldn’t hesitate to say farewell. The former first-rounder has flashed when healthy since arriving in 2017, but he’ll be a free agent after the season, and New York has no reason to give him a pay raise.
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When the Giants signed Rudolph, it felt like a logical fit, giving Engram an unofficial mentor and Daniel Jones a savvy outlet. That didn’t account for the fact they signed him knowing he would need surgery for a new foot injury ahead of his age-32 season. Suited up in blue, the former Vikings standout has been a shell of his former self, logging all of 10 catches for 87 yards in seven games. Oh, and he’s due $7.25 million in 2022! No one will want that, but pending a restructure, maybe his old pals in Minnesota would bite?
The Giants messed up the minute they gave him a three-year, $39M deal a week after the Titans cut him loose. Was Jackson, 26, a rangy athlete worth a gamble? Sure. But he never, ever warranted top-flight corner money. Through seven games in New York, he’s logged a whopping zero picks and three pass deflections after coming off an ankle injury. If the Giants can find a way to get out of paying Jackson more than $30M from 2022-2023, they should take the call and not hang up.
This is the one name on this list who might deserve to stick around. Bradberry, remember, was a surprise sensation in 2020, living up to a big free agent payday coming over from the Panthers with three picks, 18 pass deflections and a Pro Bowl swagger on a feisty defense. While he’s getting back on the right track now, he stumbled mightily out of the gate this year, to the point the Giants restructured his deal in early October. Owed nearly $22M in 2022, he might price his way out of New York one way or another.