The NFL combine has come and gone, meaning we are 9 days away from free agency and a week away from the legal tampering period. Rosters will now truly begin to heat up. The New York Giants are in an interesting spot, with a heavy roster shakeup anticipated.
They’ve been rumored to have interest in former Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum and tight end Isaiah Likely, which is to be expected. However, the purpose of this article is to delve into more complicated maneuvering. For example, Kayvon Thibodeaux is a popular trade target for multiple teams, but what if the Giants swung bigger and traded another edge? I’m not Joe Shoen obviously, but if I were for the next couple of weeks, and really wanted to roll the dice, this is what I’d do:
Giants sell high
New York Giants trade
Brian Burns, OLB (36.5 mil cap hit)
New England Patriots trade
2026 first-rounder (pick 31)
Both Giants fans and New England Patriots fans are reading this with a load of skepticism and probably anger. Brian Burns is coming off a 16.5 sack season! Let me explain, though, and I’ll start with the Giants’ point of view: they are perceived as having too many edge rushers. The current room includes both youngsters, Abdul Carter, Thibs, and obviously Burns. There have been a ton of mock trades sending Thibs to various edge-needy teams, which makes sense. I want to start by saying that. However, what if the Giants sold high on Burns and went all in on an edge group featuring Carter, Thibs, and Rueben Bain (taken as the fifth pick in this hypothetical)?
I think Burns is a perfectly fine player who’s being valued as an elite one. In his seven-year career, he has one other season with double-digit sacks. His PFF run defense grade was a 60, and he was a major part of the NFL’s worst run defense. What if the Giants could sell high, draft Bain as his replacement, and then look at wide receiver with a late first? Maybe an Omar Cooper Jr. If you’re a Giants fan, would you shed cap, draft another elite edge prospect, and fix the receiver two situation with this move? I have to believe you’d consider it.
As for the Patriots, they would get a massive upgrade at edge, in the prime of his career, under contract for 3 more seasons. He would be a massive upgrade from Anfernee Jennings, K’lavion Chaisson, and Harold Landry. Plus, the Patriots had the best run defense in the NFL last season. They’re built to insulate Burns from his own flaws. It’s truly a win/win!
Giants trade back
New York Giants trade 2026 First rounder (Pick five)
Kansas City Chiefs trade 2026 first rounder (Pick nine), 2026 Second rounder (Pick 40)
Draft pick swap this time, featuring the Giants trading back! The rationale for our side is pretty straightforward this time: the Giants lost a third-round draft pick last year in the Jaxson Dart deal. Recouping a second-round pick and pick 40 at that would be tremendous for the team.
The cost of doing business is only four spots. If we use the consensus big board, that means: Fernando Mendoza, Arvell Reese, Bain, David Bailey, Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, Carnell Tate, and Caleb Downs would all be gone in those first eight picks. That leaves the Giants to take…… Jeremiyah Love. I know. Sonny Styles is still on this hypothetical board. How could I not take him? The Giants are heavily rumored to be adding a running back this offseason. There’s been Kenneth Walker smoke since the combine, for example. What if they added arguably the best talent in this draft class in Love? Harbaugh would have the star running back he craves, a la Derrick Henry. The Love and Cam Skattebo pairing would be amongst the best in the NFL, and the Giants would have two more picks in the top 40 to supplement other positions.
So Why would the Kansas City Chiefs do this? It’s pretty simple for them: they desperately need a wide receiver. Travis Kelce is nearing both a wedding and retirement. Rashee Rice might never play football again due to his off-field issues. Who is catching the ball from Patrick Mahomes in 2026? Enter Tate. He’s my personal favorite of the class. He’s super fluid in and out of breaks, is seemingly always open, and is an Ohio State receiver. Their hit rate is basically 100%.
