As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the New York Giants find themselves in a precarious position. Despite recent promising performances, their 2-5 record keeps them at the bottom of the NFC East and in 13th place in the conference standings.
Hovering a half back from the final wild-card spot, there’s a growing sense that the team could shift its focus from fighting for a playoff spot to making strategic trades. While key offensive assets like Saquon Barkley and Darren Waller remain off-limits, there might be other players who could be potential trade options.
Let’s explore who these players might be and how trading them could impact the Giants’ future.
Parris Campbell
Parris Campbell, the Giants’ wide receiver, is a player who should be seriously considered for trading. Despite his talents, Campbell’s position within the team has diminished, with Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson commanding more targets.
Darius Slayton, a veteran of the squad, remains a reliable option that the team simply can’t afford to let go. Given these factors, Campbell has found himself as the fourth-best wide receiver and fifth or sixth-best pass-catcher on the roster, even falling behind Barkley and Waller in terms of receiving targets.
Campbell’s last noteworthy performance was in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins, where he made a season-low of two catches.
Since then, his contributions have been minimal. Instead of letting such a player languish on the back end of the depth chart, the Giants could consider trading Campbell to a team in need of wide receiver depth.
It would provide the Giants an opportunity to possibly gain a valuable draft pick, a move that could strengthen their future roster.
Sterling Shepard
Sterling Shepard is another player whose future with the Giants is increasingly called into question. Despite being a seasoned wide receiver, Shepard’s role in the offensive game plan has been significantly reduced this season.
With only four receptions for 26 yards, it’s clear that the team has shifted its focus toward other potential star players such as Hyatt and Robinson. Shepard has largely been relegated to special teams, a role that the Giants could comfortably assign to another player.
Although Shepard may not command a high trade value, the Giants could potentially secure a late-round draft pick by trading him. Considering his impending free agency, this move could make sense for New York as they look to extract some value from players who may not fit into their long-term plans.
For a contending team in need of a reliable wide receiver, Shepard could be an attractive rental option. By making this trade, the Giants could open up more opportunities for their emerging wide receivers, further cementing their offensive strategy moving forward.
Adoree’ Jackson
Adoree’ Jackson presents the most compelling case for the Giants’ trade considerations. The cornerback has established himself as a dependable player on the roster, a talent that could seamlessly fit into any contending team’s strategy.
However, his impending free agency in 2024 makes his future with the Giants uncertain. If the Giants pivot towards a rebuilding approach, trading Jackson could present an opportunity to accumulate valuable draft picks.
Despite the critical games ahead, including the upcoming match against the New York Jets and a challenging three-game stint on the road, the Giants’ front office must make a pragmatic decision about the team’s direction.
A successful run could keep playoff hopes alive, but a series of losses would undeniably push the team out of contention. In such a scenario, trading Jackson and potentially other veterans could be a strategic move to strengthen the team’s future prospects.
However, such a decision requires a realistic assessment of the team’s current performance and potential outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the New York Giants must carefully evaluate their options as the 2023 NFL trade deadline approaches. While a strong push and big odds to win in the upcoming games could keep playoff hopes alive, a more realistic approach would be to consider potential trades that could strengthen their team for future seasons.
