Well, with the New York Giants dropping to 1-6 on the season, management made the executive decision to sell at the November 3 trade deadline. They’ve already begun making moves, as the Giants traded outside linebacker Markus Golden to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round pick.
The #Giants traded OLB Markus Golden to the #Cardinals for a 2021 sixth-round draft pick.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 23, 2020
In fact, I am quite surprised at the Giants even managed to gain any value out of Golden, who signed his free-agent tender this past off-season with Big Blue. He was looking for a multi-year contract worth big money, but teams ultimately weren’t looking to sign him for his asking price. He stuck around with the Giants, and their intelligent move paid off in draft capital.
Golden had only played in 36% of defensive snaps this season, compiling 1.5 sacks, six quarterback hits, and 10 combined tackles. He was essentially put on the back burner in place of Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines, who are both now on injured reserve.
Golden only played in 33% of snaps against Philadelphia in week seven, which is quite surprising given the Giants don’t have a significant rotation at the moment.
Nonetheless, adding a sixth-round pick is essential, as the Giants previously only had five picks in the 2021 NFL draft. I expect they will make more moves in the coming days as we draw closer to November 3.