With NFL free agency well underway, NFL teams are now beginning to make moves to bolster their franchises the best way they see fit. Brilliant Giants general manager, Dave Gettleman has clearly cemented himself among the elite names in the front office across the league.
Formerly the general manager for the Carolina Panthers, Gettleman does have experience in the position. He is known for making headline moves which obviously benefit his franchise, such as letting Josh Norman walk away in free agency to the Washington Redskins during his tenure with the Panthers. During his short time with the Giants, Gettleman has made many excellent moves which undoubtedly will move the franchise in the right direction.
The first superb move Gettleman made this season was trading defensive tackle and a staple in New York’s defense, Damon “Snax” Harrison. Harrison started every game for the Giants since 2016 and was 1st team all pro in 2016. A top five defensive tackle in the entire league was traded to the Detroit Lions for the worthy price of a 5th round pick. What a deal.
Arguably the best trade up to this point was the decision to trade the human highlight reel and perhaps the best receiver in the NFL, Odell Beckham Jr., known to many fans as “OBJ,” Beckham has totaled over 1,000 yards receiving in 4 of his 5 career seasons as a Giant, 3 of which went for over 1,300 yards. Averaging just under nine touchdown catches per year (44 total), Odell has been the Giants top offensive weapon his whole career, which earned him a massive new contract extension worth up to 95 million dollars with a guarantee of 65 million. All of these eye opening stats were achieved with a sub par quarterback in a consistent decline in his career, Eli Manning.
Against his word that the Giants wouldn’t be trading Odell, Gettleman’s brilliance shined again sending the top receiver to the Cleveland Browns. In exchange, New York received the 17th overall pick in this year’s draft, a 3rd round pick in this year’s draft, and safety/linebacker Jabrill Peppers who has yet to make a Pro Bowl in his underwhelming career. Leaving many Giants fans scratching their heads, the intelligent Gettleman never ceases to amaze.
To add on to a top notch tenure in New York, Gettleman decided to trade all that was left on the Giants. This trade is sending Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles. In exchange, the Giants will receive veteran running back Darren Sproles, a second and third round draft pick, and cementing themselves as the worst offense and perhaps team in the NFL.
Saquon racked up over 1,300 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, along with 91 receptions out of the backfield and 4 receiving touchdowns. The only glimmer of hope for the Giants franchise, Gettleman decided to move to a division rival because he believes Eli is still a capable quarterback.
Gettleman undoubtedly with the trade of Saquon, has now made himself the greatest general manager the world has ever seen.