NY Giants: 3 Players that could be traded this offseason

TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 22: Tight end Evan Engram #88 of the New York Giants makes a catch and dives towards the sideline in the second quarter during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 22: Tight end Evan Engram #88 of the New York Giants makes a catch and dives towards the sideline in the second quarter during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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Dalvin Tomlinson (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Dalvin Tomlinson (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

2. Dalvin Tomlinson

Few NY Giants came on stronger last year than third-year pro Dalvin Tomlinson, as the massive defensive lineman became much more than a space-eater in 2019. After registering just 1.5 sacks and only 1 quarterback hit combined in his first two NFL seasons, Tomlinson exploded for 3.5 sacks and 9 QB hits in 2019. He also chipped in with 7 tackles for loss.

The former Alabama star has always been a stout run defender (158 total tackles in three years), but he showed an entirely new side of his game that makes him inherently more valuable moving forward. Playing alongside Dexter Lawrence surely helped in unlocking his playmaking ability, and pairing the two mammoth defensive linemen moving forward seems very attractive for Big Blue.

However, defensive line seems to be one of, if not the, strongest position group for the NY Giants at the moment. With the team appearing to use a base 3-4 defense once again in 2020, there are only three starting spots for defensive lineman. If Leonard Williams is brought back, promising 2018 third-rounder BJ Hill figures to spend most of his time on the bench.

Dave Gettleman will have to take an honest look at whether or not he’s going to make a real run at extending Tomlinson, and if he’s not, it makes at least a modicum of sense to explore trading the ascending player.

It’s pretty unknown what the team could realistically expect to get for Tomlinson in the trade market, but I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibilities to think they could land a three or a four for a team that was interested in locking him up long term.

Is that worth it? Possibly. Especially if the team brings in any other defensive lineman through the draft or free agency, and doesn’t have plans in keeping him past the last year of his rookie deal in 2020 (he carries a cap hit of just $1.4M).