The Giants are probably done making significant moves in free agency, but there are still ways for them to improve at positions of need — namely on the offensive line and/or at edge rusher — without breaking the bank.
That would be via trade.
The Giants have two players that don’t really appear to be apart of their plans beyond 2021 in tight end Evan Engram and guard Will Hernandez, and they’d likely get some league-wide interest if they explored trading either of them.
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Joe Judge has made it clear he likes Engram more than the Giants fan base might, but the reality is the Giants just handed a two-year deal to Kyle Rudolph, still have Kaden Smith and could add another tight end via the NFL Draft, too. Engram is in the final year of his contract and if he’s not part of their future plans, it makes sense to try and get some value for him now. Trading him would save $6 million.
As for Hernandez: The former second-round pick lost his starting job at left guard when he got COVID-19 and never got it back, even as rookie Shane Lemieux wasn’t exactly perfect. The Giants cut Kevin Zeitler this offseason, opening up a starting job at right guard … and then signed veteran Zach Fulton.
It seems clear the Giants don’t value Hernandez as much anymore, but another team might. He’s 25, has started 39 games in three years and will only make a little more $2 million this season.
With that, here are six trade ideas involving Engram and/or Hernandez that could be beneficial for the Giants:
Trade Idea No. 1
Giants get: EDGE Sam Hubbard
Bengals get: TE Evan Engram
Why: This is an intriguing match. The Bengals are trying to optimize Joe Burrow’s supporting cast, hence why they pushed so hard for Kenny Golladay in free agency. They have yet to get a receiver to replace A.J. Green, and their tight end room is a mess. Hubbard had an impressive first two years (14.5 sacks) but fell off in 2020 (two sacks) and is entering his contract year. This is the sort of deal that could be a win-win for both sides, as the Giants desperately need to find a better pass rusher.
Trade Idea No. 2
Giants get: EDGE Dennis Gardeck, 2021 fifth-round pick
Cardinals get: TE Evan Engram, 2022 sixth-round pick
Why: The Cardinals clearly value Gardeck — they gave him a second-round restricted free agent tender — but they also added J.J. Watt this offseason, return Chandler Jones and re-signed Markus Golden. They’re loaded at edge rusher and don’t necessarily need Gardeck, who is still unproven even if he had a ridiculous sack rate (seven sacks in 94 snaps) in 2020. Meanwhile, they’re clearly all-in on trying to win during Kyler Murray’s rookie contract window, and they likely won’t find a better tight end than Engram (especially not at his cost, just $6 million) on the open market. He’s only 26 and could theoretically grow with Murray, too.
Trade Idea No. 3
Giants get: G Greg Van Roten, fourth-round pick
Jets get: TE Evan Engram, G Will Hernandez, 2022 seventh-round pick
Why: The Jets are revamping their offensive line and clearly Chris Herndon is not the answer at tight end. Since Joe Douglas is flush with draft capital, dumping a veteran like Van Roten onto the Giants while adding young talent at both guard and tight end might be an intriguing proposition. Whoever the Jets QB is in 2021 should have a better safety valve than Herndon, even if Engram isn’t exactly always the most reliable either. The Giants coaching staff has clearly soured on Hernandez, and Van Roten is a veteran that would be a better option, even if only for depth. Dave Gettleman once signed Van Roten as a free agent when he was GM of the Panthers in 2017.
Trade Idea No. 4
Giants get: EDGE Jaylon Ferguson, 2021 sixth-round pick
Ravens get: TE Evan Engram
Why: The Ravens already have a talented tight end (Mark Andrews) but have been unable to upgrade at wide receiver this offseason — Sammy Watkins is a nice player when healthy, but he’s often hurt — and Engram is an intriguing, movable weapon offensive coordinator Greg Roman could find a way to use. Using two tight ends in an offense run by Lamar Jackson wouldn’t be the worst idea.
The Ravens have Tyus Bowser and Pernell McPhee at edge rusher, and while neither is a Pro Bowl-caliber player, Baltimore tends to find talented outside linebackers in the draft on a regular basis. Ferguson (4.5 sacks in two years) is replaceable, but worth a flier for the Giants.
Trade Idea No. 5
Giants get: 2021 sixth-round pick, 2022 seventh-round pick
Packers get: G Will Hernandez
Green Bay’s interior offensive line situation is kind of a mess, especially after center Corey Linsley left as a free agent. Hernandez would instantly become a starter for the Packers’ offensive line. Hernandez’s value on his own took a major dip this past season when the Giants benched him.
Trade Idea No. 6
Giants get: 2021 fifth-round pick
Vikings get: G Will Hernandez, 2022 seventh-round pick
Why: The Vikings entire offensive line situation looks like a mess. And while Hernandez didn’t exactly help his stock last season, he’d be a real upgrade over Minnesota’s options right now on the interior.
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