Oh, how things have turned for the NY Giants in the last few weeks, and not for the good. Just two weeks ago, the Giants were coming off a tremendous victory against the Seattle Seahawks and were at 2-3. However, many felt that the team could be 4-1 or even 3-2, which gave a sense of hope for the Giants in the 2024 season.
Then they lost 17-7 to the Cincinnati Bengals and dropped to 2-4. It was a tough loss, but not one where people felt that the Giants were overpowered and overmatched. On Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, that type of game happened. The Giants were thoroughly embarrassed from start to finish against their rivals and their former face of the franchise in Saquon Barkley in a 28-3 debacle at MetLife Stadium.
With the Giants now at 2-5 on the season, the season looks more lost now than ever, especially after losing star left tackle Andrew Thomas for the remainder of the 2024 season. And even more so with the continued poor play of Daniel Jones at quarterback, who just can’t seem to hit on big plays down the field.
With the NFL trade deadline approaching on Tuesday, Nov. 5, the Giants will have some decisions to make, especially when it comes to the 53-man roster. Over the last two years with Joe Schoen as the general manager, he’s made at least one move before the deadline. With the team likely headed to the top of the draft again, there are a few players Schoen can move who could help bring some draft picks back for April:
4. Azeez Ojulari
Pass-rushers are always in need for any contending team. Fortunately for the Giants sake, Azeez Ojulari started playing well at the right time. With Kayvon Thibodeaux on Injured Reserve with a wrist injury that needed surgery, Ojulari has stepped into Thibodeaux’s starting role and has done well for himself.
Three of the four sacks he’s accumulated have come in the last two weeks, which speaks to the difference he can make for a team. The league has taken notice, as Ojulari is on some team’s radars as a possible trade acquisition for the deadline.
“Giants LB Azeez Ojulari: With star pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux slated to potentially return from injured reserve in Week 10, Ojulari is expected to be a player that teams target looking for edge help.”- @RapSheet of @nflnetwork.
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) October 20, 2024
Ojulari has 3 sacks on the season and is on an… pic.twitter.com/8wB1KRxDs4
Ojulari is in the final year of his rookie contract that he got with the Giants when he came into the league back in 2021, which already makes him an affordable player to acquire. Ojulari is also playing well with his recent surge on the field, so trading him between now and Nov. 5 makes a lot of sense.
Ojulari fell out of favor in the starting lineup because of injuries and inconsistencies on the field. Because of those, it led to the Giants trading for Brian Burns and giving him a massive extension at the start of free agency. Ojulari was already a possible trade chip given his expiring contract, but now that he’s playing well, he is an attractive trade option for a contender. The Detroit Lions make sense given how they lost Aidan Hutchinson for the season and could use the extra help on the edge.
Coming up next: a struggling young wideout