[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx61yex5whq8aq player_id=none image=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
The New York Giants are a franchise finally headed in the right direction and many inside the organization believe they’re on the brink of competing not just for an NFC East title, but potentially a Super Bowl championship.
If that is indeed the case, there are a few areas that remain in need of some work. The first, of course, is the offensive line. They’re also lacking depth at inside linebacker and have a lot of questions surrounding their edge rushers.
[vertical-gallery id=671484]
The potential along the edge is there, but production is what’s needed. That’s why in addition to drafting rookie Azeez Ojulari, the Giants should be keeping a watchful eye on the trade market and waiver wire for some additional reinforcements.
As luck would have it, one may have already become available.
On Sunday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that veteran edge rusher Chandler Jones has requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals. And almost immediately, Giants safety Logan Ryan saw the potential fit.
— Logan Ryan (@RealLoganRyan) July 25, 2021
If the Cardinals don’t want to move on from Jones that creates a problem, but NFL players wield more power here in 2021 than they ever have in the past. If Jones truly wants out, he can likely force his way out.
If that were to occur, the Giants certainly make sense. They could use a veteran edge rusher with a history of production, plus there a familiarity between Jones and head coach Joe Judge. The two were with the Patriots from 2012 through 2015 and won a championship together in 2014.
The former first-round pick has appeared in 124 career games with 121 starts, recording 432 tackles (106 for a loss), 169 QB hits and 97 sacks to go along with 27 forced fumbles and one interception.
Jones, a New York native, missed much of the 2020 season after suffering a torn bicep but prior to that had recorded double-digit sacks for five straight seasons and six of the last seven. He also set a career-best mark in 2019 with 19.0 sacks.
The cost for Jones would be significant and at age 31 that can get tricky, but if the Giants believe he can put them over-the-top, then it’s a no-brainer. They certainly have the trade assets in terms of draft picks and even some potentially expendable players, but the real problem would be the salary. Jones will command big money and the Giants don’t have a ton left to throw around at the moment.
[lawrence-related id=671540,671538,671536]