Dave Gettleman has never before traded down in his career as a general manager — not with the Carolina Panthers and not with the New York Giants.
However, Gettleman may buck that trend next week at the 2021 NFL draft.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Gettleman and others inside the Giants’ East Rutherford facilities have discussed and are considering a trade back from No. 11 overall.
The #Giants are slated to pick No. 11 in the NFL Draft, and trading back is already something they are internally considering, I’m told. That spot will have real value. … How rare would a trade down be? GM Dave Gettleman has never traded down in the 1st round in 8 drafts as a GM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2021
Skepticism is likely to follow Rapoport’s latest report, especially after the Giants claimed they were “open for business” last year but ended up remaining in place (Andrew Thomas, No. 4 overall). However, with the value of the 11th overall pick combined with depth at positions of need, if there was ever a time for Gettleman to pull the trigger, now would be it.
If the Giants are keen on taking an edge rusher in Round 1, a trade back would be the best case scenario. It would provide the team, who have only six picks in the draft, some additional assets without costing them a shot at a quality player.
The same logic could apply to wide receivers, cornerbacks and offensive linemen, so perhaps the streak really will be broken nine days from now.
