Good Morning, New York Giants Fans!
With the trade deadline coming and going, most believed the New York Giants would be sellers, but they stayed pat and kept all of their veteran players.
Janoris Jenkins, Nate Solder, and Alec Ogletree all remained with the team, but that doesn’t mean general manager Dave Gettleman doesn’t have plans for them. All three serve a purpose this season, and the New York Giants must climb out of a 2-6 funk to prove they can be a competitive team moving forward. That’s why Gettleman ended up being a buyer, trading for Leonard Williams of the Jets.
The defensive lineman will add a commanding presence alongside Dexter Lawrence, but he’s in the final year of his rookie contract, which means he will get paid this offseason. Gettleman sacrificed a fifth-round pick to do be the first one to offer him a new deal.
However, Gettleman’s methods stretch further than just trading and signing new players. When it comes to players already on the roster, maximizing their value becomes the priority, especially when they’re overpaid and underproducing.
Ogletree is a prime example of that ideology. He hasn’t been the most effective linebacker since his inception with Big Blue last season, and that will likely spell the end of his tenure in New York. This season, he counted $11.25 million against the cap in dead money, and next year he will be just $3.5 million. Cutting him shouldn’t be the priority, though. Finding a suitable trade partner will be the focus for Gettleman, as unloading his $3.5 million in dead-cap is essential.
Tying up money in non-existent players spells “doom” for most franchises. Gettleman took the $16 million hit on Odell Beckham Jr. this season, which resulted in a first-round pick, a third-round pick, and safety Jabrill Peppers. A solid return, but it restricted the New York Giants from signing other players this season. Signing big-money free agents this past offseason would have been redundant, considering rookie quarterback Daniel Jones was the priority — giving him ample experience and developmental time.
Next offseason will be the “all-in” period for Gettleman, who will need to fill positions such as inside linebacker, outside linebacker, offensive tackle, and free safety.
Nonetheless–
Your top news of the day:
Paul Schwartz – Leonard Williams is getting used to his new Giants reality