NY Giants: NFL trade deadline stay or go | Golden Tate, Logan Ryan, more
DL Leonard Williams
The foolishness of trading a third and conditional fifth-round pick in an effort to “jumpstart” a struggling 2-6 team and evaluate Leonard Williams over the second half of last season not withstanding, Williams has been among the Giants’ most disruptive defensive linemen and dominant defensive players this season.
Williams has produced 21 total pressures, three sacks, and 24 total tackles on his way to a 76.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
If Williams keeps up his current pace, he’ll push for double-digit sacks in the midst of a contract year. The Giants would be wise to open long-term contract negotiations and keep him along a defensive line that has solidified itself as the strength of the roster. Competitive teams are built with the foundation of strong defensive line play, and Williams has been instrumental in the Giants’ dramatic improvement up front.
On a roster that’s weak at so many positions and largely devoid of playmakers, trading Williams to create yet another item for the offseason shopping list would be even more foolish than trading a pair of picks to have him play in just 16 games.