To some people, mid-October means pumpkin spice and Halloween. In the NFL, it means the trade season is about to heat up.
The deadline is only a few weeks away, and the New York Giants find themselves in a strange spot. They’re sitting atop the NFC East, which makes them look like buyers. But the long-term injuries to key players make the rest of the season feel less certain than the standings suggest.
That puts Big Blue somewhere between buyer and seller. They should be looking for help that can keep them in the division hunt, but they also need to stay open to moving a few pieces for draft capital. The roster doesn’t have a ton of obvious trade bait, but there are three names worth floating.
Kayvon Thibodeaux looks like the clearest candidate to go. His projected value sits at a 2027 third-round pick, and the Giants are no longer in a place where they can expect a second-rounder for him.
Thibodeaux just hasn’t shown enough to justify a long-term extension. Even with a bigger role after Brian Burns’ injury, he’s barely getting to the quarterback and has been mediocre against the run.
A contender could still see enough in his first-round pedigree to pay a third-rounder to help the pass rush. The landing spots listed are the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots.
Jameis Winston is another name to watch now that the Giants have benched him for J.J. McCarthy.
The “Jameis Winston Experience” is over in New York, and McCarthy is the starter moving forward, for better or worse. With Winston now just carrying a clipboard, he could become a trade piece.
His deal runs through the 2028 season, which makes him appealing for a team that wants either a short-term answer or a long-term backup. If the Giants are convinced McCarthy is the backup plan behind Jaxson Dart, moving Winston would make sense.
The Eagles are the only playoff team that could use a starter right now, and New York isn’t dealing him inside the division. Baltimore could be a fit if it wants to upgrade its backup quarterback situation, and Miami is also listed as a possible landing spot.
Cam Skattebo may also be on the block after seeing zero carries in Week 6. He had already struggled with ball security earlier in the year, and John Harbaugh doesn’t appear to trust him.
It’s not clear whether that benching was discipline or the beginning of the end for his role, but he can still handle a decent workload and could help a team that needs a starter at running back. If the Giants are ready to move on from him and maybe bring in another back, they should try to get something for him now.
His value is only going down the longer his days as a starter fade.
In Other News...
Giants Face A Defining Roster Decision As QB Change Begins
With J.J. McCarthy set to make his first start of the week against the Texans, the Giants are entering a stretch where every roster decision feels a little louder than usual. The quarterback switch gives the team a fresh look heading into Week 7, but it also keeps the focus on a group still trying to sort out its depth and identity after moving on from running back Najee Harris.
Paulson Adebos return from injured reserve adds another layer to that picture, especially with the cornerback practicing in a limited capacity after a knee injury. Even as the Giants work through the immediate demands of the new quarterback setup, there is still plenty of attention on how the roster may evolve around him, with the front office facing questions about whether more changes could be coming. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Suddenly Need Answers From Trace Ford
Trace Fords path to a bigger opportunity with the Giants has opened quickly, and it comes at a time when the team is trying to piece together its edge-rush rotation. New York brought Ford up from the practice squad to the active roster while moving on from Jihad Ward, a roster shuffle that signals the club wants a better look at what Ford can offer beyond spot duty.
Ford has appeared in three games, with seven tackles and no starts or sacks, so the next step is less about projecting production and more about finding out whether he can handle a more defined role on passing downs. With the Giants dealing with injuries around the edge, the evaluation matters now, and Ford suddenly has a chance to show whether he can be part of the answer rather than just an emergency add. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Face A Coverage Dilemma Against Houston's Dangerous Speed
Houstons passing game could get another layer of stress for a Giants defense already looking for answers. DeMeco Ryans indicated Tank Dell is expected to play against New York, and the Texans coach said Dell has looked still quick as ever in practice, a reminder of how much speed Houston can put on the field when its receivers are healthy. Dell remains on Houstons reserve/injured list designated for return, with his activation still pending, but the Giants are preparing as if they will have to deal with his presence.
For New York, the problem is not just identifying Dell, it is finding the right way to cover him without creating another opening elsewhere. The Giants have been working through their own defensive issues, and Houstons ability to stretch the field only adds to the challenge. How New York chooses to line up against that speed could end up shaping the entire feel of the game. [Read more 🡒]