NFL
5 Giants players (Azeez Ojulari!) the team should consider trading after 2-6 start
New York football has not gone nearly as well as New York baseball has this year, as both the Giants and Jets have abysmal 2-6 records ahead of next week’s 2024 NFL trade deadline.
While the Jets will probably only consider trading wide receiver Mike Williams at this point, it’s very possible the Giants could spark a fire sale and trade any number of veterans who could help other teams.
The team’s Monday night road loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers might inspire some trades before long.
We’re not exactly sure what New York is thinking right now, but these five players make sense as trade candidates before the Nov. 5 deadline rolls around.
OLB Azeez Ojulari
The most valuable player the Giants have to trade is outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari. He has six sacks so far this season and is on an expiring contract. With Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the roster, New York re-signing Ojulari doesn’t feel likely. The team could probably get a fourth-round draft pick in return for a pass-rusher having his best season since his 2021 rookie campaign. However, durability concerns could make some teams nervous to give up a meaningful pick.
WR Darius Slayton
Slayton might be the second-best trade candidate the Giants have on the roster. He hauled in an impressive 108 yards against the Steelers on Monday night and has played pretty well all season for New York. He’ll be a free agent in 2025 and may cash in elsewhere next spring. Trading him for a draft pick feels like a smart move for the Giants if they don’t plan to re-sign him.
LB Isaiah Simmons
Simmons has never quite developed into the dynamic defender he was drafted to be. However, he’s completely fallen out of the regular Giants rotation. He’s a bit hard to peg for his right position on the field, as you can justify safety or linebacker depending on your view of his strengths. He will be a free agent in 2025, so any team that feels it could use him to better effect should call.
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Nunez-Roches is just a rocksteady veteran defensive tackle who could quite literally help any team needing reinforcements up front. He’s on a very affordable contract and could rotate in and out of your defensive front to help add more help against the run. Perhaps New York would consider this.
WR Jalin Hyatt
After a really promising rookie season (373 yards on 23 receptions), Hyatt has completely fallen out of the New York offensive game plan. He’s got the potential to be an explosive playmaker, and it’s wild that the Giants have seemingly forgotten that. A team needing receiver help could strike gold.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 Giants players (Azeez Ojulari!) the team should consider trading after 2-6 start