2 winners and 2 losers after Giants questionably quiet trade deadline

While most of the country was focused on who would be the next President of the United States, the football world was focused on the NFL trade deadline. While New York and New Jersey residents were casting their votes throughout the day, the NY Giants had until 4 pm EST on Nov 5 to make moves to alter the roster.

Most people thought the Giants would be sellers at the deadline. A year ago, the Giants traded away Leonard Williams to the Seattle Seahawks, a useful move that left them with an extra second-round pick - one they could spare when they made the deal for Brian Burns in the offseason. The Giants even made a deadline trade the year before, during their playoff season, when they sent Kadarius Toney to the Kansas City Chiefs. With this history of Joe Schoen making trades at the deadline, many expected some kind of move.

Yet, nothing. Not a single move made by the Giants, as their roster remained the same despite being 2-7 on the season and likely headed toward the top of the draft order for the 2025 NFL Draft. The Giants' lack of movement at the deadline was met with some skepticism, as some felt they should have gained extra draft capital and sold off what they could during the remainder of their likely lost 2024 season.

So who were the winners and losers for the Giants following the trade deadline?

Winner: Evan Neal

This one is a bit of a late surprise and entry to the winner's side after many thought he would be on the loser's side. Why does he get on the winner's side?

After two months on the bench and only seeing two snaps during the season, Neal was reportedly set to start again for the Giants, at least for one game against the Carolina Panthers at right tackle.

Neal starting against Carolina will be the first game he is starting since the 2023 season in a loss against the Las Vegas Raiders. Neal missed the rest of the season after it was discovered that Neal had an ankle injury that needed season-ending surgery. Neal spent the rest of the year and the off-season rehabbing the ankle injury.

Aside from two snaps, the only time we really saw Neal was during the preseason in limited action. With new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, as opposed to Bobby Johnson, who initially coached Neal, we will get to see what kind of progress Neal has made and if his career with the Giants is worth salvaging.

Loser: Darius Slayton

With all of the wide receivers getting dealt, some thought Darius Slayton could have been traded for a decent return. Given the fact that Slayton also has an expiring contract and has not signed an extension with the team, the Giants might have moved him, especially to a contender in need of an experienced receiver.

Instead, Slayton remained put with the Giants and didn’t get traded.

Slayton has to hope that his concussion issue doesn’t linger longer than expected, as the Giants have a bye week this week. Slayton also doesn’t have a contract past the 2024 season, so he has to bank on himself playing well enough that someone will give him a decent deal in the offseason.

Fans had mixed reactions to Slayton not being traded, as they thought it could be another case of Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney from a season ago where they didn’t trade either player and ended up getting nothing for them when they left in free agency.

Winner: Azeez Ojulari

Azeez Ojulari was in a similar situation to Darius Slayton, as he is another player on an expiring contract and could also be lost by the Giants without getting something for him. And just like Slayton, Ojulari was not dealt at the deadline and remained with the Giants.

However, Ojulari is healthy and currently playing due to the wrist injury suffered by Kayvon Thibodeaux, which required surgery. When Thibodeaux will return to the field remains to be seen, and even if he does, how effective he’ll be is uncertain. With these question marks surrounding Thibodeaux, even when he comes back, Ojulari has a lot of opportunities ahead of him.

While with the Giants, Ojulari will continue to start and get significant playing time opposite Brian Burns, the player the Giants initially signed and traded for to replace Ojulari as a starter in 2024.

In Thibodeaux’s absence, Ojulari has stepped up, especially in the pass rush. Five of Ojulari’s six sacks have come while Thibodeaux has been out, propelling him to second in sacks on the team behind Dexter Lawrence.

With Ojulari set to become a free agent after 2024, every sack he adds should increase his contract value - if not from the Giants, then from another team in the league.

Loser: Joe Schoen

Many felt that the Giants’ general manager missed an opportunity to add extra draft picks to what the team already has for the 2025 NFL Draft.

While some trade values for players like Ojulari and Slayton were considered low, there’s a risk that the Giants could let both walk and get nothing in return, just as they might with Barkley and McKinney.

Schoen also didn’t explore trading other players, like Devin Singletary, whose role with the Giants has decreased since Tyrone Tracy emerged as the starting running back. Singletary might have been valuable to a contending team in need of additional help at running back.

The Giants also held onto Jalin Hyatt, who has barely been a factor for the team in 2024. Some felt Hyatt could have benefited from a fresh start elsewhere like Jonathan Mingo did when he was traded by the Panthers to the Cowboys. Perhaps Schoen could have explored a similar deal for his young receiver.

Instead, Schoen kept the Giants roster as is for the second half of the season and didn’t add any additional draft picks for the future. For a team that could use extra help in the draft, Schoen chose not to add anything to support the Giants’ future. Whether this decision backfires on him or not remains to be seen.

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