New York Giants: Cameron Jordan a trade target?

The fire sale in The Big Easy appears to be continuing, as Darin Grant of NBC Sports reported that the New Orleans Saints are open to trading both Jahri Evans and Cameron Jordan. While both players would be solid additions to the New York Giants, the G-Men should consider trying to acquire defensive end Cameron Jordan.

Jordan was linked to the Giants by way of faint rumors – which were referred to by ESPN’s Dan Graziano – during the early stages of free agency, and picking up the 25-year-old pass-rusher would make sense for the Giants.

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First and foremost, Jordan is young and talented. Jordan is an athletic player who would benefit from playing opposite Jason Pierre-Paul.

Jordan is also familiar with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, as Spags was Jordan’s defensive coordinator in 2012. Jordan recorded eight sacks that year. Although there will surely be differences in the defense the Giants will run in 2015, Jordan is already comfortable with Spagnuolo’s style of schemes and packages, which would be invaluable in his production.

In fact, adding Jordan would basically re-create the Giants’ successful blueprint from Spags’s first tenure.

In his first stint with the Giants, Spagnuolo had Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield and Dave Tollefson to work with. Jordan, Pierre-Paul, Damontre Moore, Robert Ayers Jr., Jonathan Hankins, Cullen Jenkins, George Selvie and Kenrick Ellis would wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines. Just try to imagine the pressure opposing quarterbacks would face.

The Giants would — presumably — be able to apply significant amounts of pressure with their front four, which makes the rest of the defense’s job that much easier.

Dec 29, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

It’s tough to accurately estimate what the Giants would have to give up for the promising young player, so let’s take a look at the Kenny Stills-to-Miami trade. Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports reported New Orleans shipped the talented, young player to South Beach in exchange for a third-round pick and Dannell Ellerbe, a 29-year-old linebacker. Going off of that criteria, it’s possible the Saints could be looking for an established veteran. Maybe Jameel McClain and a fourth-round pick would be a realistic option. Jon Beason could also be a potential trade piece, but it’s hard to think the Giants will want to cut ties with their defensive captain.

Another positive from a potential Jordan-to-New York deal is the fact that the Giants would systematically take care of a need that would otherwise be addressed in the draft. Many – including myself – view the defensive line as an area of need for the Giants based on the defense the team wants to run, and it’s very likely the Giants spend an early draft pick on a defensive lineman.

I recently had the team taking Randy Gregory, and despite his recent miscues, it would be hard for the Giants to pass on such a talented player.

If, however, the Giants were able to acquire Jordan, they could go elsewhere with the ninth-overall pick. Offensive line is obviously another area of need, but if the Giants feel like they can nab a starting-caliber lineman in the second or third round, then they would have the luxury of drafting a player based simply on talent. Perhaps players like Jalen Collins or Amari Cooper would become viable options.

Here’s another possible scenario: What if New York swapped first-round picks with the Saints? New Orleans would move up from 13 and – depending if he’s on the board. Although I think he will be – select Oregon’s Marcus Mariota.

The Giants, on the other hand, would move back to 13 and selecting a player like Landon Collins would be a lot more justified if it came outside of the top 10.

Obviously this is entirely speculative. But if the Giants do have an opportunity to to make a move for Jordan, I think the ends absolutely justify the means. Especially when you consider the defensive firepower Spagnuolo would have to operate with.

Next: New York Giants should trade for Joseph Fauria

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