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5 bold moves the New York Giants should make this offseason

By Jacob Ellerbee

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 28: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants looks on during warm-up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on November 28, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 28: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants looks on during warm-up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on November 28, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 12: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants during warm up before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

No 1. Trade RB Saquon Barkley to trim salary and allocate assets

The first move the NY Giants should make is probably one that will be the most divisive. The team should strongly consider trading star running back Saquon Barkley in exchange for as many draft picks as possible.

This team has so many holes to fill and must get better on both sides of the ball. The problem is, they are about $7.5 million over the salary cap. It’s hard to roster build with those limitations.

One way to circumnavigate that is to try and restock talent with rookies. If the Giants can score several picks for Barkley, they’ll be ridding themselves of his $7.2 million contract, get awfully close to being under the cap and have the flexibility to fill several holes.

Barkley had a phenomenal rookie season in 2018 (1,307 rushing yards and 721 receiving yards) and followed it up with a solid sophomore season in 2019 (1,003 rushing yards and 438 receiving yards). However, his third season was cut short due to injury, competing in just three games.

Last season, Barkley just wasn’t the same. He rushed for 593 yards and recorded 263 receiving yards— a far cry from his first two seasons. Barkley should be given some leeway coming off an injury and trying to work behind an anemic offensive line, but still.

The Giants are going to have to decide whether or not to pay Saquon Barkley next offseason when he’ll be an unrestricted free agent. Why not cash in why you still can for some draft picks and move on from the 24-year-old and his waning productivity.

A team like the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans or Miami Dolphins seem like ideal fits for the star running back, who could quite frankly benefit from hitting the reset button and getting a change of scenery.

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