The New York Giants’ decision to trade a third- and a possible fourth-round pick to the New York Jets last October in exchange for defensive lineman Leonard Williams was met with mixed reactions from both camps.
Jet fans reacted with glee as they not only rid themselves of an underachieving player but got some much-needed draft capital in return.
Giant fans were puzzled why general manager Dave Gettleman would make such a trade for Williams, an impending free agent who they could simply wait until after the season to sign and in the process keep their picks.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently ranked the 30 most impactful trades of the 2019 season. The Williams trade made the cut at No. 29. By contrast, the most impactful deal of the season was the Tennessee Titans acquisition of quarterback Ryan Tannehill from the Miami Dolphins for a sixth round pick and cash.
From Barnwell:
Giants trade: 2020 third-round pick, 2021 conditional pick
Jets trade: DE Leonard WilliamsI wrote about how this trade didn’t make sense at the time, with the 2-6 Giants dealing a third-round pick and a conditional fourth- or fifth-round pick for the privilege of paying Williams $4 million before free agency. Williams, who has perennially posted plenty of knockdowns without ever converting those figures to sacks, posted 11 knockdowns and just a half-sack in his time with the Giants.
What mattered here was the revelation of just how far the Giants are from understanding what is broken with their franchise. Making this trade was foolish. General manager Dave Gettleman justifying the trade was downright depressing. Just weeks before his infamous “computer guys” speech, Gettleman argued that the Giants would get a third-round compensatory pick if they moved on from Williams after the season, which would require Williams to get a contract north of $15 million per season (he won’t) and the Giants to sit out free agency (they won’t). Williams is a fine defensive lineman, but the Giants continue to have a warped view of reality and their current status within the NFL.
Impact grade: D
The trade is a D in terms of impact because it was made between two teams that have a long way to go to get back into contention. It is a D for the Giants simply because it was imprudent from a economical and asset allocation sense. The Jets made out like bandits because they got definitive capital for Williams up front. They would likely have gotten a compensatory pick in return for losing Williams in free agency. Now they know that third-round pick is No. 68 overall and when that pick is on the board Giant fans will have no choice but to look away and cringe.
Additionally, Barnwell also ripped the Giants for trading Beckham.
The Giants lost a star in OBJ, and while you could make the argument that adding a handful of would-be starters for their franchise wide receiver would make some sense, general manager Dave Gettleman continued to disappoint. He signed Golden Tate, a bizarre move for a rebuilding team that already had a slot receiver in Sterling Shepard and a “move” tight end in Evan Engram. Peppers became the box safety the Giants lost when they let Landon Collins leave in free agency. No. 17 pick Dexter Lawrence looked to be a promising big body and run-thumper, but he is serving as the replacement for Damon Harrison, who also was jettisoned by Gettleman.
It’s important to note that Harrison is mulling retirement due to his body breaking down. We must also assume this was written before OBJ’s shenanigans at the National Championship Game between LSU and Clemson.
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