With every passing week, the New York Giants get a better understanding of what the future of the organization is going to look like. At 0-5, general manager Dave Gettleman is already on a short leash, and at this point, adding draft capital to bolster the team in 2021 might be the priority.
However, adding draft capital would indicate selling multiple players before the trade deadline on November 3. With a few more weeks left until that date, the Giants could begin shopping some of their more valuable players, especially after week six against the Washington football team. There are a number of athletes I could represent trade value for a big blue as they continue to rebuild the roster.
The first one that comes to mind is Evan Engram, who has been lackluster in 2020 after suffering a mid-foot sprain that required surgery in 2019.
So far, Engram has 18 receptions for 147 yards and zero touchdowns through the air. He did record an end-around score against the Dallas Cowboys, but he has been mostly ineffective in the passing game. Now, is that Engram’s fault, or is it offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett’s.
Engram stated last week that he has been running far more curls than working out of the seam in the new Giants’ offense.
Some might say Garrett isn’t utilizing Engram to his potential, and I would agree. The former Mississippi star tight end is best used in straight line motions and streaks. Getting him into space and running in a straight line is how he maximizes his potential, and we saw that last season, as Pat Shurmur used him routinely, a drag routes and seam routes up the middle.
Now, Engram has been doomed to a life of five-yard curls, stick routes, and underneath options. He is not being given the same luxury of moving downfield and stretching defenses.
Evan has only a 55 overall receiving grade and a 51 overall offensive grade. His pass blocking has been decent this year off the edge, but his run blocking has been borderline malpractice for a team that has committed to the run.
With that being said, I believe Engram is probably the Giants’ best bet at returning some value to their draft stock next year. Gettleman already traded away a conditional seventh-round pick to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Isaac Yiadom, who has already been benched at cornerback.
If the Giants can return a fourth-round pick for Engram’s services, it would be worth it. Considering the Dallas Cowboys landed Tyler Biadasz at center in that exact round, there is value to be had.
The Giants also drafted to Darnay Holmes, who is the future in the slot position at CB for the team.
At this point, with the state of the roster, selling Engram with one year left on his contract allows Big Blue to move forward with some salvation considering Garrett’s inability to use him.