Exploring 6 New York Giants players and why they will or won't be dealt at the NFL trade deadline

The New York Giants sit at 2-4 with the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Washington Commanders up next on their schedule before the NFL's trade deadline set for Tuesday, November 5th. 

It's entirely possible, or even likely, for the Giants to reach that point of the season with their eyes set in future seasons, which means they'll likely be sellers at the trade deadline. Even more so considering the news about Andrew Thomas' season-ending injury. 

With this in mind, it's as good a time as any to dive into the Giants roster and identify potential trade candidates. We'll go through some of the biggest names that fans and media will surely be discussing and whether or not they're legit candidates to be traded.

1. QB Daniel Jones - No

At first glance, financially, you could probably make this work as Jones has no guaranteed salary for the 2025 and 2026 years on his deal. However, he does a significant injury guarantee that might've even get him benched further into the 2024 NFL season. 

$23 million of the 2025 base salary ($30 million) is guaranteed for injury at signing and a season-ending injury that impacts his availability next year could prove very costly.

But the elephant in the room has nothing do with guarantees, etc.:  For Jones' price tag, there's no NFL team that will be giving up draft picks or players for a quarterback of his caliber. 

2. WR Jalin Hyatt - Yes

Hyatt's role has increased the last couple of weeks but that has more to do with Malik Nabers' injury than anything else. The truth is the former Tennessee Vols wide receiver isn't being used by the NFL team that drafted him. With two years left on his rookie deal beyond 2024, he's a viable target for any team that was intrigued with his game during the 2023 draft process. 

He's an inexpensive player with upside at a highly important position. He's arguably one of the most tradeable players on the roster and the Giants don't seem that interested in keeping him around.   

3. EDGE Azeez Ojulari - Yes

A former second round draft pick, Ojulari will be hitting free agency in 2025. He's played in 42.9% of the team's defensive snaps and with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the team, it seems like he won't be getting a promotion anytime soon. 

Ojulari's career has been impacted by injuries, missing significant playing time in 2022 and 2023 but he did set the Giants' rookie sack record with eight back in 2021. The upside is still there. 

4. EDGE Brian Burns - No

NFL teams would obviously be interested in acquiring Burns, but given what the Giants gave up for him (this year's second-round draft choice and a 2025 fifth-round selection in addition to a late-round swap), it's clear they got in the Brian Burns business for the long run. 

I wouldn't expect the Giants to be willing to move him. Burns has delivered, too, grading out as PFF's eighth-best edge rusher in the league and ranking 15th in total pressures. He isn't going anywhere.  

5. DL Dexter Lawrence - No

Similarly to Burns, Lawrence would entice any team in the league given he's arguably the very best at his position and should be a legit candidate for DPOY with the way he's playing (He's the only iDL to rank Top 15 in pressures in the NFL). 

But the Giants just signed him to a four-year extension worth $90M. He's one of the few players guaranteed to be a part of New York's future. 

6. WR Darius Slayton - Yes

For what it's worth, Wan'Dale Robinson could also take this spot. However, Slayton will hit free agency in 2025, which makes him a much more viable candidate. Slayton has had some issues with drops this season but is still a productive WR many contender teams could look at for a WR3 type role.