Here for a good time, not a long time, am I right?
Just months after being signed by the New York Giants, offensive lineman Daniel Faalele is heading down to Florida in a trade that sends the Giants a 2027 seventh-round pick, as first reported by Evan Barnes.
The trade is relatively surprising from a nostalgia standpoint, seeing as Faalele is a John Harbaugh guy through and through. He spent four years with him in Baltimore after the Ravens selected him with the 110th pick in the 2022 Draft out of Minnesota.
The 26-year-old did what most former Ravens players did this free agency: follow their former head coach up I-95 to play in North Jersey. He was originally brought in to compete for the starting right guard spot, but that opportunity all but vanished the second New York drafted Francis Mauigoa with the 10th overall pick.
With Mauigoa locking down the future and other depth pieces earning looks (looking at you, Evan Neal... maybe), Faalele became expendable. Factor in that the Giants didn't have a 2027 seventh-round pick, and pulling the trigger on this deal became a pretty easy business decision.
Daniel Faalele's preseason opener gave the Giants no choice but to move on
The on-field issues with Faalele are impossible to ignore. Yes, he stands at a staggering 6-foot-8, weighing 380 pounds. However, his inconsistent pass protection, playing with a high pad level, and struggles with lateral mobility have been his Achilles' heel for all four-plus years he's been in the NFL.
Those exact issues followed him into Saturday’s preseason opener against Minnesota. Faalele struggled to hold up in pass protection, looking every bit as uncomfortable in space as his massive frame would suggest. He finished the game with a 0.0 pass-blocking grade from PFF in seven reps, with an overall grade of 40.2 in 13 snaps total.
The Jags are, funny enough, taking a flyer on another former Raven as Patrick Mekari -- who left Baltimore to sign with Jacksonville last offseason -- underwent back surgery that's going to keep him out for an extended period of time. He is expected to return for the 2026 season, but it did leave a void that needed to be addressed.
Ultimately, Faalele's time in New York wraps up after just 133 days. It was a short-lived experiment that didn't pan out, but moving him now allows the Giants to restock the draft-asset cupboard (albeit a Day 3 pick) and hand those extra reps to the rest of the offensive-line hopefuls.
Add us as a preferred source on Google