With the New York Giants now holding a 2-4 record and nearing mathematical elimination from playoff contention, they might contemplate trading some assets as the NFL trade deadline looms. The team, facing considerable challenges this season, must act swiftly ahead of the November 5 deadline, just a few weeks away. By then, their playoff hopes could be virtually gone, prompting them to consider salvaging the season and preventing further internal disruptions.
Offensive Struggles Highlight Giants’ Problems
The recent defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night, in a game where the Giants were favored to win, highlighted the team’s significant problems, particularly at quarterback. Ongoing offensive struggles continue to hamper the team’s performance, potentially prompting management to rethink their future plans. Despite the setback, there was a bright spot as fourth-year pass rusher Azeez Ojulari delivered an impressive performance.
Azeez Ojulari’s Dominant Performance
Azeez Ojulari, the 24-year-old former Georgia standout, has faced injuries early in his career but made a significant impact by stepping in for Kayvon Thibodeaux, delivering one of the team’s top pass-rushing performances this season. In the loss, Ojulari registered six pressures, two sacks, and a tackle. Despite the outcome, both he and fellow pass rusher Brian Burns were dominant defensive forces, doing more than enough to keep the Giants competitive.
Ojulari as a Potential Trade Asset
Ojulari is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will become a free agent after this season unless the Giants choose to extend him. However, with the team’s future uncertain, he could serve as a valuable trade asset for teams seeking pass-rushing talent. One potential destination is the Detroit Lions, who recently lost star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson for the season due to a fractured leg.
As contenders with Super Bowl aspirations, the Lions might be in the market for a reliable starting pass rusher. Ojulari, with his potential and recent strong performance, could earn the Giants a decent draft pick—optimistically a second-rounder, though a fourth-round pick in 2025 seems more likely. Detroit may be inclined to offer more for Ojulari, especially if they view him as a player they could re-sign on a team-friendly deal, considering his injury history and inconsistent availability.
Balancing the Trade Decision
Naturally, the Giants would be reluctant to part with a valuable depth player like Ojulari, particularly with the option to extend him and invest in the future. Keeping him could allow the team to develop a more consistent version of the player and aim for a playoff push in 2025. However, if the team struggles in the coming weeks, trading Ojulari might be the wiser choice, enabling the Giants to accumulate draft picks and potentially rebuild around key positions of need.
Other Players on the Trade Block
Azeez Ojulari might not be the only player the Giants consider trading. Wide receiver Darius Slayton, another significant contributor, could also land on the trade block if the team opts to offload some of its expiring contracts. Should the Giants continue to struggle, the front office might initiate a “fire sale,” dealing away players with expiring deals to rebuild and prepare for a more promising 2025 season.
With the trade deadline approaching, the Giants face some difficult decisions. Whether they decide to sell off assets or retain key players for the future will largely depend on how the team performs in the coming weeks.
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