The New York Giants are in a state of peril after being embarrassed by the Los Angeles Rams in Week 6. Most would agree the team has hit rock bottom as they sit at 1–5 on the season and have a scary schedule ahead consisting of the Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Raiders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That is not even to mention the Eagles, Chargers, and Cowboys later on in the season.
At this point, management might want to consider being sellers at the trade deadline this year, so let’s take a look at a few players who could be on their way out.
Three players the New York Giants should consider trading at the deadline:
1.) Evan Engram
Tight end Evan Engram has enjoyed just one game this year with over 30 receiving yards, posting just three receptions for 24 yards in the team’s most recent loss to the Rams. He has been a non-factor for the most part, so the former first-round pick could represent a trade opportunity for the Giants. Unfortunately, they missed out on a chance to sell him to the Arizona Cardinals, who traded for Zach Ertz from Philadelphia instead.
Some may point to Engram providing the team with a compensatory pick next year, but if the Giants are keen on bringing in a new general manager, they will want as much draft capital as possible for 2022. Engram might land them a fifth-round pick, given he’s in the final year of his rookie deal and has already played nearly half the season.
2.) Jabrill Peppers
The Giants have barely used safety Jabrill Peppers this year, playing in a career-low 49% of defensive snaps. Peppers has been unable to cover tight ends and has had trouble in the slot — they could utilize him as a trade piece as well. Losing Peppers might also land them a compensatory pick in 2023, but a team in need of a versatile safety might value his services.
At most, the Giants could land a 5th rounder for Peppers, who will likely be replaced by Aaron Robinson coming off IR.
3.) Sterling Shepard
The Giants have a ton of quality receivers. The problem is the majority of them are injured. Sterling Shepard was Daniel Jones’s best option against the Rams, tallying 10 receptions for 76 yards.
Shepard is a quality player with two years remaining on his contract. The Giants could take the out in his deal after this season concludes, which would count $7.99 million in dead salary space. If they choose to retain him, he will count $12.5 million in 2020 to add $13.5 million in 2023.
The Giants have once again pigeonholed themselves into a bad spot financially, overspending on injury-prone talent this off-season in hopes of turning the franchise around. Trading away Shepard would get some money off the books and return draft capital in the process. With the emergence of Kadarius Toney, Shepard’s targets will likely decrease.