New York Giants fans weren't too keen on keeping offensive lineman Daniel Faalele around after his poor 2025 season, and the Jacksonville Jaguars managed to jump in to take him off Joe Schoen and John Harbaugh's hands.
After an injury to veteran lineman Patrick Mekari, the Jaguars acquired Faalele from the Giants in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick. Schoen must have saved up all his negotiating energy for this trade, because he managed to get a genuine asset for someone who was almost assuredly not going to make the final roster.
Essentially, the Giants got a sixth-round pick in an NFL Draft class that is widely regarded as one of the deepest in years in exchange for a player who was likely not going to make the roster and has been well below average when he has been on the field. Schoen very rarely gets it right, but he definitely came out on top in this move.
New York Giants GM Joe Schoen a big winner in Daniel Faalele trade
Baltimore Ravens fans will give you chapter and verse about what a poor pass protector Faalele, who started for the last two seasons under Harbaugh, has developed into. While he is a mammoth player at 6-8 and 370 pounds, Faalele still does not have the technique or quickness to win reps in the NFL with anything less than pure power.
Faalele wasn't going to start barring some catastrophic injury. Rookie Francis Mauigoa and veteran Jon Runyan Jr. have locked down the starting guard spots, and any coach who is even thinking about playing Faalele as a tackle against some of the speed rushers in the NFC needs to have their head examined.
Daniel Faalele was not making an impact for the New York Giants
While it's not worth declaring Schoen the next George Young after trading a backup for a pick that will likely be used on a player who will be in Faalele's shoes in 12 months' time, it's still a win. In terms of pure asset management, this is one step above getting something for nothing.
Harbaugh may weild a ton of influence, but Schoen is still the general manager, and any moves like this will be charged to his record. Obtaining a pick for someone who was roasted and toasted by even subpar defensive linemen is Schoen knowing when to strike when the iron is hot.
Giants fans can't just assume that every move they like was a Harbaugh decision and every one they don't was Schoen calling the shots. For all of the deserved grief Schoen has gotten over the last few years, pulling this trade off stands out as one of the more savvy moves he has made.
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