Matt Johnson
The New York Giants swung the first big deal right before the 2023 NFL trade deadline, sending defensive lineman Leonard Williams to the Seattle Seahawks. Since making that deal, teams have reportedly been calling about Giants players floating in NFL trade rumors.
New York received praise for its deal on Monday, acquiring a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth in exchange for Williams. After placing the franchise tag on Williams in consecutive years, New York faced a situation where it would’ve likely lost him in NFL free agency this offseason.
Related: New York Giants draft picks 2024
While the Giants might’ve been able to receive a compensatory pick based on the deal he signed elsewhere, it wouldn’t have come until the 2025 NFL Draft. So, with the team out of the playoff mix, New York shipped him to Seattle for a second-round pick in next year’s draft. It might not be their last deal either.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, there is a lot of interest in the Giants’ roster around the NFL. Williams received the most interest and was traded first, but teams are calling about other veterans on the roster.
Even with the offensive line getting healthier and quarterback Daniel Jones poised to return in Week 9, New York sees the writing on the wall. A year after an unlikely playoff run, the Giants regressed and it became apparent more work needs to be done with this roster.
Identifying 3 potential New York Giants trades
While NFL teams are very interested in New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, he’s not moving. Not only has New York made it clear it doesn’t want to move Barkley, but the Pro Bowl running back stated his desire to remain in a Giants’ uniform.
Instead, New York will likely unload some role players and starters it could cut ties with after the 2023 season. Parris Campbell is the likeliest Giants player to be traded on Tuesday, but there are other possibilities.
- Parris Campbell: The Giants signed Campbell to a one-year deal worth $4.7 million this offseason, hoping one of the fastest NFL players could make an impact as a deep threat. Instead, Campbell has averaged just 5.3 yards per reception with 85 receiving yards in eight games. He’s not a starting-caliber wide receiver, but teams like the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers are in the market for pass-catchers. Campbell would be an affordable option, especially if New York covers a portion of his salary. The likely return is a seventh-round pick.
- Xavier McKinney: While the Giants’ defense has improved over the last month, the need for draft assets is leading to a mini-fire sale. Williams is already gone and McKinney might be next. The former 38th overall pick is a free agent in 2024, one who will explore opportunities elsewhere. While he’s not a high-end starter, McKinney offers a set of skills that could be very useful for teams hurting at the position. Clubs like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars could be in the market for a safety.
- Darren Waller: The latest Darren Waller injury is a reminder of why the Las Vegas Raiders traded him. Waller’s impactful moments in the Giants’ offense have been sporadic and while he’s a valuable offensive weapon for New York to have, his contract might not be viable given all the needs on New York’s roster. Instead of cutting him next offseason, creating upwards of $12.5 million in cap space (post-June 1 designation), the Giants could trade him now. The team acquiring him might not offer more than a mid-round pick, but that’s more than New York gets if he’s a potential cap casualty. As far as potential landing spots, the Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins stand out as the best fits.
