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5 Giants players (Azeez Ojulari!) the team should consider trading after 2-6 start

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5 Giants players (Azeez Ojulari!) the team should consider trading after 2-6 start

Oct 13, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) tackles Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

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

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 26: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots attempts a pass while pressured by Azeez Ojulari #51 of the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 26, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 26: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots attempts a pass while pressured by Azeez Ojulari #51 of the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 26, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 26: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots attempts a pass while pressured by Azeez Ojulari #51 of the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 26, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

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

Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) runs with the ball against Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsDec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) runs with the ball against Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) runs with the ball against Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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

Oct 22, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) is pressured by New York Giants safety Isaiah Simmons (19) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY SportsOct 22, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) is pressured by New York Giants safety Isaiah Simmons (19) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 22, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) is pressured by New York Giants safety Isaiah Simmons (19) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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

Oct 6, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (93) celebrates following a sack against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn ImagesOct 6, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (93) celebrates following a sack against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Oct 6, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (93) celebrates following a sack against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

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

Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (13) during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn ImagesSep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (13) during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (13) during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

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

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