Giants stand pat at trade deadline | Was this the right move?

The NFL trade deadline came and went on Tuesday without a single move made by the New York Giants.
Yes, despite their 2-7 record, general manager Joe Schoen decided to hang onto pieces like wide receiver Darius Slayton and edge rusher Azeez Ojulari — both of whom were heavily rumored to be on the move — to wrap up the season.
So, uh, why, exactly?
Slayton and Ojulari probably wouldn’t have landed the Giants a haul, but both are set to be free agents after the season, so shouldn’t Schoen try to get at least something for them?
It’s complicated.
Keeping Slayton could be smart since he’s proven himself as a solid No. 2 wide receiver (who even looked sharp as a No. 1 option while stud rookie Malik Nabers was sidelined with injury). The Giants clearly don’t trust Jalin Hyatt, whom Slayton replaced on the depth chart in training camp, as their No. 2, so they might promise him steady playing time during contract negotiations.
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But that’s all a big if. Not trading Slayton for even a sixth round pick will only look smart if Schoen is able to retain him this offseason.
Asked last month if he’s thought about his looming free agency, Slayton said, “Not really. It’s kind of one of those things that’s a ‘cross that bridge whenever you get there’ type of thing… Obviously this is my last contract year and I plan to play out this full year to the best of my ability and help us win games.”
Then there’s Ojulari…
The 24-year-old edge rusher has stepped up in Kayvon Thibodeaux’s injury absence, posting 5.0 sacks and 16 total tackles in four games. This obviously he sounds like the kind of player you’d like to re-sign if you’re a rebuilding team, but, as mentioned, the Giants already have Thibodeaux and Brian Burns, whom they signed to a massive contract in March.
Point is: No matter how much Ojulari claims that he wants to stay with the Giants, there’s really no point in re-signing him since he’ll likely be the backup behind Thibodeaux anyway.
Unless Schoen is on the verge of a secret affordable, hometown discount extension with Ojulari, then not moving him will look like a huge mistake. The former second-round pick told NJ Advance Media he has not had extension talks with the Giants after Sunday’s loss to the Commanders.
And sure, the edge rusher market was not that enticing. The Broncos OLB moved to the Cardinals for a sixth round pick, while the Lions got defensive end Za’Darius Smith and a 2026 seventh round pick for a 2025 fifth round pick and a 2026 sixth round pick.
But would you rather snag a few late-round picks, or let Ojulari walk for nothing?
Let’s see how it plays out, but Schoen’s inaction at the 2024 trade deadline looks like it could be another stain on his wobbly early GM resume.
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Ryan Novozinsky may be reached at [email protected]. You can follow him on X @ryannovo62.