With the NY Giants getting ready for their second preseason game of the summer, it's time to take another close look at the roster. Last week, the majority of the starters weren't on the field for the loss to Detroit. However, it was made clear that depth is still an issue for Brian Daboll.
While the Giants have several of their starters penciled in for Week 1, there’s always a need to have depth behind the starters in case of injuries and emergencies, which was something the Big Blue saw first hand in 2022 when their secondary suffered injuries and the Giants had to scurry around to find that depth in free agency.
Figuring out some depth now while the summer is still ongoing with the preseason and training camp would be ideal for Daboll and Joe Schoen. So, which deals could the Giants make to help the team before Week 1? Here's a look at four trade targets for the G-Men:
4. Houston Texans pass-rusher Jerry Hughes
The Giants have two young pass-rushers at the edge with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari. But after that, they could use some depth behind them, especially experienced players. They also have Oshane Ximines and Jihad Ward, but between health and inconsistency, it wouldn’t hurt for the Giants to explore other options.
Justin Houston made a lot of sense, as did Yannick Ngakoue, but the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears both signed them off the free agent wire. Jadaveon Clowney is also available too, although he hasn’t met with the Giants and it's up in the air if he will.
So, with experienced pass-rushers coming off the free agent board, an experienced rusher like Jerry Hughes is someone who could help the Giants. Both Schoen and Daboll know Hughes from his long-time tenure with the Buffalo Bills.
While Hughes is 35 years old, he’s still clearly productive, as he had nine sacks for the Houston Texans last season. Hughes would make a lot more sense for a team competing for the postseason like the Giants, who can use that extra depth on the edge.
Hughes wouldn’t cost much as far as salary goes, since he’s making $4 million for the 2023 season and then is a free agent. A late-round pick should suffice if the Giants were to make a call to Houston.
3. Houston Texans MLB Christian Kirksey
We are going to continue to stay in the Houston area since the Texans aren’t expected to compete and they could look to possibly move veteran players who are on the last year of their contracts. Just like with Jerry Hughes, the Giants could have interest in another Texans defender in veteran middle linebacker Christian Kirksey, who is also on the cheaper side of things making $4 million.
The Giants could potentially look for another middle linebacker since the defense lost Jarrad Davis for the season due to a knee injury. While they will likely continue to evaluate things with Micah McFadden and Darrian Beavers, the Giants could still look at veteran options to go alongside Bobby Okereke in the middle.
There were conflicting reports of the Giants looking at Anthony Barr, although he is an outside linebacker as opposed to a middle linebacker, whereas Kirksey is a middle linebacker that could fit what the Giants might want and give them additional help on the inside.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars OLB K’Lavon Chaisson
We have suggested veteran players with experience to possibly target. Here’s one that is going in the opposite direction as far as age goes. It hasn’t worked out with K’Lavon Chaisson and the Jaguars, as he’s fallen on the depth chart behind Travon Walker, the team's former No. 1 overall pick. Chaisson himself. Is a former first-round pick of Jacksonville back in 2020.
Chaisson has three career sacks in his first three seasons, so to say he’s been underwhelming would be fair. But, he’s also just 24 years old and still on his rookie contract, so trading for Chaisson probably wouldn’t hurt the Giants salary cap. Because he’s been a bit of a disappointment, the Jaguars likely wouldn’t be able to ask for much as far as a trade goes.
The Giants could look at Chaisson as a buy-low player with possible promise with the age and contract being something that is attractive to acquire. If the Jaguars would be open to moving him, then the Giants should definitely show interest.
1. Chicago Bears OG Alex Leatherwood
With the exception of John Michael Schmitz, we all saw the backup linemen for the Giants struggle against the Detroit Lions, so getting possible depth for the offensive line may be a massive need. While there are still possible free agents still available like Justin Pugh and Dalton Risner, trading for a younger player with a rookie contract who's still very young might be something to benefit the Giants.
This is where Alex Leatherwood comes into mind, as he was a former first-round pick in 2021who ended up being waived by the Raiders and was claimed by the Bears. He only appeared in four games for the Bears and didn’t start in any games in 2022.
Leatherwood is listed as being the backup guard on the offensive line. The Giants are still looking at Joshua Ezeudu and Ben Bredeson along with Mark Glowinski for the two guard spots, but someone like Leatherwood, who is on a rookie deal and only 24 years old, could be someone worth looking into as a buy-low guy with possible upside.
Leatherwood did well in run blocking for the Bears when he did play, as well as when he started in 17 games for the Raiders during his rookie season. It was pass blocking where Leatherwood struggled. But with the Giants potentially needing extra linemen, even for depth purposes, Leatherwood is someone to take a look at.
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