NFL Trade Rumors: Trade Candidates and Targets for the New York Giants

For a long time, one of the hardest jobs in the NFL has been general manager of the New York Giants. It all begins with a terrible cap scenario that has made assembling a competitive roster extremely difficult. Despite having $11 million in cap space after Darren Waller’s retirement, the team is still in 22nd place with $10,327,426 left.

For years, the roster was riddled with holes. They addressed many of those, including TE and WR, in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the work isn’t done yet. Not if the Giants hope to triumph in January’s playoff match.

Thus, General Manager Joe Schoen must continue to maneuver. Brian Burns made an unexpected splash with his debut, but it doesn’t mean the roster is complete. Though it won’t be simple, Big Blue needs to think outside the box to assemble a roster that can contend for the team’s fifth Super Bowl.
Leading Trade Targets: New York Giants
There are intriguing names available for this team at vulnerable spots.
If the present administration has demonstrated anything, it is that they will not hesitate to sign a big name, even if it means paying more than the team’s anticipated record this season. Both Waller and Burns, who were previously mentioned, made dramatic, unanticipated decisions when they were most needed. The fact that the Giants have numerous needs helps.

Waller was on the older side, so didn’t fit New York’s timeline well. However, like Burns, there are plenty of players that could be in the Big Apple for a long time. These three guys would fit in the Giants’ long-term plans while immediately slotting into a starting spot.

Tristan Wirfs, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dating back to Eli Manning’s tenure as New York’s starting quarterback, the team has been miserable along the offensive line. Andrew Thomas is an All-Pro left tackle, and center John Michael Schmitz Jr. should be better in his second year. However, the rest is uncertain, especially regarding the right tackle, Evan Neal.

As currently constructed, Neal’s demotion would likely shift Jermaine Eluemunor to right tackle and Jon Runyan to his preferred left guard spot. Then, the Giants’ thin depth up front will be stressed. That scenario could be avoided entirely.

Tristan Wirfs may have played left tackle in 2023, but he was an All-Pro right tackle the two seasons before. He and Thomas would likely form the best tackle duo in the NFL. New York would bolster their depth along the line while right guard would become the only questionable starting spot in a post-Wirfs trade world.

Wirfs is seeking an extension before the season begins because he will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Making the money work would be the greatest obstacle in New York’s way for this hypothetical trade.

However, if they can lock him down long-term, the Giants won’t have to worry about either tackle spot for years.

As one of the NFL’s top pass blockers, Wirfs won’t come cheap. He’s no slouch in the run game either.

Tampa Bay would probably seek multiple second and third-round picks just to begin negotiations.

New York would likely need to send over a player too, both to free up cap space and sweeten the deal for the Buccaneers. If the Giants ever want to solidify their offensive line again, this would be a surefire way to do so.

Marshon Lattimore, CB, New Orleans Saints

Yes, the G-Men have drafted three cornerbacks in the previous two years. That doesn’t mean the position is a strength.

Deonte Banks flashed top-tier potential in his 2023 rookie campaign but isn’t quite a top dog yet. Everyone else at that spot right now is a combination of inexperienced and unreliable. New York could use reinforcements in their secondary.

Enter Marshon Lattimore, who has been subject to trade rumors for most of the offseason. Another player hailing from the NFC South, Lattimore recently restructured his contract with the New Orleans Saints.

He also won’t come cheap, because when Lattimore is healthy, he is indisputably one of the best cover guys in the NFL. He’s only given up one receiving TD in the past two seasons.

However, health is a concern to add to any potential trade alongside money. In 2022 Lattimore played seven games and he followed that up with 10 in 2023.

If New York isn’t concerned with Lattimore’s availability, one or two picks mid-round picks should be enough for a trade. The Saints are another team tight on cap space and they have enough CBs where they can afford to move on.

Lattimore’s experience and ability could prove wonders for the Giants’ young CB room.

Greg Newsome II, CB, Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome II plays the same position as Lattimore, just four years his junior. The Giants and Cleveland Browns are no strangers to making trades with each other. This could be a great match before the season starts.

Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson Jr. are already two strong options for Cleveland at corner. His name has been in trade rumors. Now that his fifth-year option has been picked up, a move to the Giants would provide New York at least two seasons with a pair of solid young cornerbacks.

What makes Newsome so impressive is his elite press coverage skills. That helped him finish ninth in passes defended with 14 in 2023. His talent would immediately upgrade New York’s defense, especially with Newsome’s team-friendly contract situation.

The question is, what would be enough for a young, cost-controlled, and productive cornerback? Generally, the trade market for CBs doesn’t demand much, but this is a unique scenario.

For starters, the Giants would likely need to send a second-round pick, at minimum, to make this happen. Then, don’t be surprised if one of New York’s depth tight ends or linebackers is sent to Cleveland so that the Browns can patch some of their depth issues.

It doesn’t seem likely, but if the Giants could make this work it would be a great move.

New York Giants Top 3 Trade Candidates

Picks and cap space are both allies New York needs these days

The Giants are in a weird position where there aren’t any stars that could fetch a haul at this point. Saquon Barkley would’ve filled that role last season, but he asked not to be traded away before bolting in free agency. Most of their other very good players are young and part of the long-term picture.

Still, some players could net New York something in return. Two of them won’t grace the MetLife Stadium turf often, barring injuries. The other will free up money and playing time for a younger player. The Giants should field calls for these three players.

Darius Slayton, WR

Trade rumors are nothing new for Slayton, a speedy WR who has combated drops throughout his career. Despite his inconsistent hands, Slayton has paced the G-Men in receiving yards in four of the past five seasons. Relative to other wideouts in 2024, his contract is team-friendly.

Plenty of teams could use a veteran pass-catcher with big-play ability and no diva tendencies. Ironically, New York probably doesn’t need him at this point.

Malik Nabers, the sixth overall pick in the 2024 draft, is instantly the team’s top option. 2022 second-round selection Wan’Dale Robinson should get more touches than Slayton if he stays healthy. 2023 third-rounder Jalin Hyatt also has elite speed and an opportunity to showcase it, unlike last year. Allen Robinson II was added as another experienced presence in New York’s WR room.

It appears that the Giants aren’t going to extend him this offseason, despite Slayton’s desire for more money. So, why not free up the young guys by sending Slayton to a WR-needy team like the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, or Pittsburgh Steelers?

Along with any money saved against the cap that could help the team, Slayton should fetch a third or fourth-round pick in any trade. Holding onto him doesn’t seem like the wise decision, even if he’s quietly a fan favorite.

Tommy DeVito, QB

Another fan favorite, it’s time to be brutally honest. Tommy DeVito will not play under center, barring a catastrophic string of events, nor should he see the field for this team.

New York must know what to do with Daniel Jones before the year ends. If Jones gets injured again, Drew Lock is the insurance policy. Nathan Rourke is now the rookie who can carve out an NFL future in an emergency scenario.

Fortunately, DeVito showed the world last season that he can serve as a backup QB without sinking the ship. His energy is also infectious, something that can’t be quantified. Any teams with questions at the QB position, especially if it’s on the bench behind an oft-injured gunslinger, should take a flier on DeVito.

The Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos are two teams that could quickly need a guy like DeVito. The Carolina Panthers wouldn’t be a shocking destination either if they want a more reliable QB3. If the Giants can get a sixth or seventh-round pick out of DeVito, similar compensation to Mac Jones who has a larger cap hit, that’s a win for New York’s front office.

Boogie Basham, Edge

Boogie Basham is one of many players who went from Buffalo to New York’s NFC franchise because of familiarity with head coach Brian Daboll. A career backup with a seven-figure cap hit, Basham produced modestly during his Buffalo stint. His 2023 debut with the Big Blue netted no sacks in 13 games.

His avenue to playing time was already limited because of Kayvon Thibodeaux, Jihad Ward, and Azeez Ojulari. Now that Brian Burns is occupying a spot on the edge, Basham’s role will probably be even smaller if he stays with the Giants. He’s expendable at this point.

This is why trading him away for a late-round pick is a great avenue. Basham flashed the potential to make plays in Buffalo, so a team like the Cincinnati Bengals or Seattle Seahawks could buy low on him ahead of this season. For the Giants, a pick and cap room for a seldom-used pass rusher is worth it.

Although Basham won’t bring in a huge sum, his little deal does provide more opportunities. Any team would gain from having an additional pass rusher. The Giants should consider making a trade offer for this guy, should the phone ring.