The New York Giants are entering the first year of a full-scale rebuild in both the front office and player personnel. The change in scheme indicates a different strategy when it comes to free agency and drafting. As seen in the most recent NFL draft, the Giants took a scheme-fit approach to spark their rebuild.
New general manager Joe Schoen has several ways he can continue to improve the roster but looking into the trade market may be an underrated one.
ESPN analyst Mike Clay proposed an interesting trade between the Giants and Miami Dolphins, swapping Darius Slayton for Myles Gaskin.
Random trade idea –
Giants get: Myles Gaskin
Dolphins get: Darius SlaytonMatt Breida is currently Saquon Barkley's primary backup and its no secret they've been trying to move Slayton, who would compete for #4 duties in Miami. Gaskin is currently RB4 in Miami.
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) July 1, 2022
- Giants’ rumored trade package for 3rd overall pick is hefty
- Mel Kiper’s final 2024 NFL Draft board sees elite QB fall to Giants’ first-round slot
- Giants reportedly negotiating with Patriots for No. 3 pick in the draft
Does this trade make sense for both teams?
The Giants currently have Saquon Barkley, Matt Breida, and Gary Brightwell as their primary running backs. However, Gaskin may provide a long-term solution on third down as a scat back. Last season, Gaskin ran for 612 yards, three touchdowns, 234 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns.
Miami’s running game consists of a platoon, and with Gaskin easily replaceable by Salvon Ahmed, he could be a perfect fit for the Giants and their new offensive system.
The expectation is that Big Blue will take a running back by committee approach after Saquon Barkley’s rookie deal ends after the 2022 campaign. Extending him on a lucrative deal doesn’t seem probable, especially after several years of injury-prone play.
Trading Slayton in exchange for Gaskin would leave an opening in the Giants’ receiving corps. No other receiver on the roster has the straight-line speed that Slayton contains, recording 339 yards and two scores last season. Slayton has struggled to replicate his rookie statistics back in 2019 when he posted 740 yards and eight touchdowns. His numbers have consistently decreased over the last few seasons, meaning the Giants may find it beneficial to move on for an equal value in a different position.
In addition, Slayton is preparing to earn $2.5 million this upcoming year, so trading him would unload that entire salary cap hit. Alternatively, Gaskin is also earning about $2.5 million this year, so it would be a simple swap of assets.
Considering Miami has Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Cedrick Wilson Jr., and Preston Williams on the receiver corps, Slayton would be a reserve option.
With Gaskin, Chase Edmonds, Ahmed, Sony Michel, and Raheem Mostert taking up roster spots at the running back position, they could easily leverage one of those players to add depth elsewhere.