With the November 3 trade deadline coming up, the New York Giants and teams around the NFL will begin selling or buying players to either bolster their squads or add capital for the 2021 NFL draft.
After losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in week seven, it seems as if the Giants are set on being sellers, having already traded OLB Markus Golden to the Arizona Cardinals for a sixth-round pick. Head coach Joe Judge carried some essential knowledge over from New England, convincing general manager Dave Gettleman to place a free agent tender on Golden.
Essentially, they were on the hook for 110% of his 2019 salary, and less than halfway through the 2020 season, the Giants elected to trade him, essentially buying an additional draft pick.
Buying draft picks is a methodology that is seldom used, but it is one of the minor details that make New England such a historic and successful franchise. It seems as if Judge has left his mark not only on the team but also in the front office, helping the Giants make more calculated decisions and utilizing different ways to add value to the future.
However, I believe that the organization is prepared to add more draft picks to their 2021 selections. Considering they went into the week with just five picks next year, they are now up to six and will likely be looking for more.
Who will be next on the trading block for the New York Giants:
I believe that the next player to be traded will be interior defensive lineman Leonard Williams. Last year, Gettleman traded away a third and fifth-round pick for Williams, despite the team having already lost the season and in the middle of a rebuild.
Giving away draft capital when you’re trying to build out the foundation and depth of your squad is simply estranged. Acquiring some value back would be a solid move for the Giants, who will watch Williams hit free agency after the season anyway.
Theoretically, the Giants could trade him for a fourth-round pick and re-sign him on a multi-year deal at the end of the year.
Considering he is one of the more valuable players, this is a move I would like to see, as BJ Hill has proven he can get the job done for the time being.
Through seven weeks, Williams has earned a 76.3 overall grade, enjoying his best grade against the Eagles last week with an 82.7. His pass rush has consistently improved throughout the year, and his run defense is one of his elite strengths. A team looking for a big body in the trenches who can soak up double teams and stop the run at a high-level could be willing to strike a deal with the Giants.