I could write a novel about how frustrating it was watching the New York Giants screw themselves out of the top pick again by winning their last two games, but I’ll save that rant for another time.
The reality is Joe Schoen and Co. are picking fifth, and complaining about it isn’t going to change that. Holding the first overall pick would have made it easier to swindle a quarterback-needy team into coughing up a haul of assets, but that dream isn’t as dead as some fans think.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton stepped into the minds of Big Blue’s brass to map out what he believes would be their dream offseason trade scenario. And to Giants fans’ delight, cashing in the fifth overall pick for multiple premium selections got the nod.
And if there’s one team that makes a crazy amount of sense as a draft-day trade partner, it’s the Los Angeles Rams. Not only does Schoen have a history of calling up LA GM Les Snead on draft weekend to sling a deal -- the G-Men traded picks 89 and 128 in the 2023 Draft to move up to 73 and select Jalin Hyatt -- but a move up the board for the Rams this time almost makes too much sense.
Rams shaping up as Giants’ most obvious draft-day dance partner
There are a couple of things at play that make this trade very intriguing. LA lost right tackle Rob Havenstein to retirement this offseason, creating a massive hole in front of Matthew Stafford. Stafford is 38 and has battled back injuries the past few seasons, so keeping him upright is non-negotiable. The Horns also happen to own two first-round picks, 13 and 29, which could easily serve as the starting point to move into the top five and secure a premier offensive lineman.
Would Miami’s OT Francis Mauigoa or Utah’s OT Spencer Fano be enticing enough for Snead to make a move? It’s anyone’s guess at this point, but Moton doubled down on the idea that Schoen could still land a haul, calling a move up for Fano the Rams’ dream offseason trade.
Insert eye emojis everywhere.
The Giants can't afford to throw away top picks at this stage of their rebuild, especially not with John Harbaugh running things. But there are holes all over this roster, and the quickest way to be competitive is to have as many talented players on the roster as humanly possible. This does exactly that.
With the 13th pick, the team could go in a bunch of directions:
- It could target its secondary concerns with LSU's Mansoor Delane, Tennessee's Jermod McCoy (if he's healthy), or Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
- The receiver room could still use an upgrade with Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson or USC's Makai Lemon.
- Even the offensive line could get some love with Mauigoa if he falls, or interior offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane out of Penn State.
Then, with the 29th pick, they could continue fleshing out the roster with a continued best player available approach with guys like:
- Peter Woods, DT - Clemson
- Caleb Lomu, OT - Utah
- CJ Allen, LB - Alabama
- Avieon Terrell, CB - Clemson
It's a massive win-win trade for both sides that ultimately gets the Harbaugh era started off on the right track immediately. This team is a lot closer to competing for division titles and championships than people think. This move gets them that much closer to the end of the tunnel.