The New York Giants are in a tricky situation. They're leading the NFC East entering Week 8, and they're positioned to maintain that lead, but they're not exactly on par with the top contenders in the conference. As the trade deadline approaches, the G-Men are caught between being buyers and standing pat.
General manager Joe Schoen doesn't often make aggressive moves during the season. In fact, the J.J. McCarthy deal that the G-Men made this year is the only notable midseason trade of Schoen's tenure. He probably shouldn't make a big splash in the trade market, but that doesn't mean he needs to sit out the trade deadline entirely.
Schoen should be scouring the market for veterans he can bring in at a low cost. Based on his track record of drafting players in the late rounds, he shouldn't be holding onto those picks too tightly.
Joe Schoen's draft history gives Giants an obvious trade deadline strategy
The Giants have largely built through the draft since Schoen arrived. The roster's current core is made up almost entirely of first-round picks over the last few seasons. Schoen has a decent hit rate on those selections, especially from 2024 onward. His success in rounds six and seven hasn't been nearly as encouraging.
Player | Round Drafted | Career Starts for Giants | Still on Giants' Roster? |
|---|---|---|---|
Darrian Beavers, LB | 6th (2022) | 0 | No |
Tre Hawkins, CB | 6th (2023) | 4 | No |
Jordon Riley, DL | 7th (2023) | 5 | No |
Gervarrius Owens, S | 7th (2023) | 0 | No |
Darius Muasau, LB | 6th (2024) | 20 | No |
Thomas Fidone, TE | 7th (2025) | 1 | Yes |
Korie Black, CB | 7th (2025) | 2 | Yes (IR) |
Of the seven players Schoen drafted in the sixth and seventh rounds from 2022 to 2025, only Thomas Fidone is currently on the active roster. Only Darius Muasau has spent the majority of a season as a starter, and that was because of an injury to Micah McFadden.
Schoen has been unable to find any significant value near the end of the draft. The early returns from the 2026 class are somewhat encouraging. J.C. Davis looks like a solid backup tackle, but Bobby Jamison-Travis and Jack Kelly have failed to make an impact so far.
That hit rate should open the Giants up to be a bit more flexible at the trade deadline. It would be a mistake to give up significant draft capital for a short-term upgrade, especially considering the strength of the upcoming class, but the G-Men should be more than willing to dish out a late-round pick for a capable veteran.
Players like Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart and Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson, both aging defenders on expiring contracts for losing teams, should be on the table for New York. They would help solidify positions of need and fuel Big Blue's playoff push without sacrificing anything of real value.
These deals might not carry the excitement of the Bears' Jeffery Simmons move or the 49ers' DeForest Buckner swing, but they would be worth exploring. The G-Men can improve their roster in the coming weeks without trying to get too far ahead of schedule.
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