New York Giants: Alec Ogletree a low-risk trade

In trading for linebacker Alec Ogletree, the New York Giants filled a need, and did so while acquiring a proven product at a good value.

If Wednesday’s trade between the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams that involved Los Angeles linebacker Alec Ogletree joining Big Blue once the new NFL year opens on March 14 proved anything, it’s that pockets of New York fans aren’t going to be happy until the team erases memories of its disastrous 2017 season and notches another winning record. Sure, this ignores the fact the Giants last played in a postseason contest roughly 14 months ago, but what have they done for paying customers and angry fans with Twitter accounts lately?

Never mind that more than a few of these critics of the trade routinely crushed the former regime headed by then-general manager Jerry Reese for failing to adequately address this exact position. Not only did new general manager Dave Gettleman grab a linebacker before the start of free agency. He landed a player who, theoretically, will slot right into the 3-4 fronts utilized by new defensive coordinator James Bettcher. Gettleman saw the need for an athletic playmaker in the middle. His transaction fills it.

Listed at 6-2 and 235 pounds, the 26-year old accumulated 5.5 sacks, 12 forced fumbles and six interceptions during his five years with the Rams. He has been good for 10 passes defended in four of his five pro seasons. The only year he failed to tally any? 2015, when he participated in only four games because of a fractured fibula.

Once news of the trade was announced Wednesday afternoon, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reported the Giants dealt 2018 fourth- and sixth-round picks, and received a 2019 seventh-round selection as additional compensation. That’s decent value for a Second-Team All-Pro from two seasons ago who could still be molded and improve at his age.

Just don’t tell that to social media:

One reasonable concern voiced among members of the Giants faithful were instances when it appeared Ogletree either phoned-in plays or showed minimal, if any, effort since joining the NFL in 2013. The same can be said about multiple New York defenders who started last fall. It happens. A justification for the trade is that Gettleman, Bettcher and head coach Pat Shurmur must have reasons to believe they can get Ogletree back to form. Perhaps they think safety Andrew Adams, Olgetree’s brother-in-law, being on the roster will make for a smooth transition:

Much has been made about how Olgetree’s contract will affect New York’s salary cap situation. As Dan Benton of Giants Wire and several other reporters explained, the Giants can and likely will convert roster bonuses into signing bonuses, easing his overall cap hits for 2018 and 2019, per Spotrac. Those looking to speculate beyond February 2020 are forgetting about the inevitable changes coming to the Giants over the next two seasons.

Unless something unexpected occurs before September, Eli Manning will be on the roster serving as starting quarterback for another campaign. He isn’t guaranteed much more than that. According to Spotrac, the Giants would save a nice chunk of cash by moving on from Manning at any point before his deal expires following the conclusion of the 2019 season. As much as the Olgetree trade should remind everybody those running the Giants are trying to win a Super Bowl as quickly as possible, it’s also proof Manning’s tenure with the club is dwindling with each passing day.

Despite what anybody says about the matter, the trade offers no hint of what the Giants may do regarding the contract of superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. past this season. Letting Beckham play-out the final year of his rookie deal was the right move back on January 1, it’s the right move heading into March 14 and it will be the right move come September, unless Beckham offers a hometown discount that would shock the football world and that probably isn’t coming unless he experiences a change of heart or hits the PowerBall.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Combine 3-Round projection

Worrying about a team’s salary cap situation for the 2019 offseason 12 months beforehand is similar to having concerns on Labor Day that a snowstorm may somehow affect your Christmas. You may ultimately be proven right, sure, but it doesn’t make losing sleep over it any less silly. The Giants are better on defense before the start of free agency. That alone makes this small gamble worth the risk.