New York Giants: Leonard Williams trade smart team-building business
The New York Giants have traded for Leonard Williams in exchange for draft picks, which is smart team-building for a team needing plenty of pieces.
It’s been easy to be critical of the New York Giants‘ team-building under general manager Dave Gettleman. From trading away Odell Beckham Jr. to then signing Golden Tate to drafting Daniel Jones at No. 6 and a run-stopper in the first round, there have been questionable decisions. Trading for Leonard Williams on Monday, however, is on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Following their Week 8 loss to the Lions, the Giants have traded for defensive tackle Leonard Williams, sending a 2020 third-round pick and a conditional 2021 fifth-round pick to the New York Jets, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Both the Giants and Jets were expected to be sellers leading up to the Oct. 29 NFL Trade Deadline, so it’s a bit surprising to see Big Blue buying right now. Having said that, if they are able to continue making moves and get some draft capital in return for assets, that will make sending a third-rounder to the Jets less of a stinging proposition.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Even if Gettleman and the Giants stand pat moving forward, though, the trade for Williams is smart business. That first comes down to the cost. Williams is a 2015 first-round pick who, for the most part, has lived up to that billing. Thus, to get him at such a cost is getting good value in terms of the player. He’s more impactful than anyone they would get at that point in the 2020 draft.
Critics of the trade might bring up the fact that Williams is in his fifth year and looking for an extension. While that may be so, the Giants can put themselves in position to handle that for the next few years. With their quarterback, Jones, on a rookie contract and the roster being reconstructed, the G-Men should have plenty of salary cap flexibility to make Williams’ new deal fit on the books without causing issues.
On top of all of that, the Giants are getting a surefire commodity on their defense, something they truly don’t possess right now. They should be adding more pieces in the upcoming draft and potentially in free agency but, right now, that unit is starved for a cornerstone. Williams can be a piece that Gettleman can build a unit around and, thus, spark improvement on that side of the ball.
Next. NFL Power Rankings: 49ers slap Panthers, Eagles shock Bills. dark
It may seem odd for a likely seller at the trade deadline to make an aggressive move such as this. But when you break down where the Giants are at, this is good business for Gettleman and Big Blue.