NY Giants chances of actually acquiring Panthers’ 7th-round pick increase
When the Panthers released kicker Joey Slye on Saturday, the NY Giants’ chances of collecting the draft pick acquired in Thursday’s trade increased
The NY Giants traded kicker Ryan Santoso to the Carolina Panthers Thursday, in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and Saturday New York’s chances of actually acquiring that pick increased exponentially.
That’s because on Saturday afternoon, the Panthers released kicker Joey Slye, and the pick traded to the Giants only transfers if Santoso is on Carolina’s roster for at least two games.
Moving on from Slye during what was a disappointing preseason and training camp seems to lock Santoso in as the Panthers’ kicker for this season.
The Panthers have in fact released kicker Joey Slye, per source. They’re going with Ryan Santoso. https://t.co/uwkF0xm5aO
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 28, 2021
The NY Giants traded Santoso, who consistently flashed plenty of leg-strength and accuracy throughout training camp, because the organization is tied to kicker Graham Gano after agreeing to a contract extension last fall.
Gano is set to collect $9.5 million guaranteed over the life of his two-year deal worth up to $14 million, signed last season.
Santoso was impressive in his preseason Panthers debut Friday night, making two field goals and three extra point tries in Carolina’s 34-9 win over the Steelers, including a 52-yarder. Meanwhile, Slye missed his only field goal attempt of the game.
Following Thursday’s trade, presuming that the Panthers’ selection winds up transferring, the NY Giants will have 11 draft picks next spring.
Matt Lombardo is FanSided’s National NFL Insider and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday. Email Matt: Matt.Lombardo@FanSided.com. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL