There has been a lot of chatter about the New York Giants being buyers at the NFL trade deadline, but general manager Joe Schoen should be looking to sell, also.
Schoen finds himself in a tough spot because he and head coach Brian Daboll need to finish this season strong in order to keep their job and selling off players won't exactly help that cause.
But Schoen also must keep an eye on the future with the Giants in transition, so he's got to find some middle ground to stay competitive but keep the roster building moving in the right direction.
When it comes to players Schoen could sell off, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano list offensive lineman Evan Neal and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt.
Fowler takes it a step further and says both Hyatt and Neal "would like a fresh start elsewhere," which comes as no surprise.
Graziano: Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal. He has played tackle and guard for the Giants, but it has never quite worked out. He's only 25 years old and was the No. 7 pick in 2022, so the talent is there. He's eligible for free agency at the end of the season and doesn't seem to be in New York's long-term plans. Almost everyone is looking to add offensive line depth this time of year, and there doesn't seem to be much reason for the Giants not to move Neal if they were offered a pick.
Fowler: It's worth monitoring whether the Giants can recoup draft capital of several former picks that have not worked out. Former third-round receiver Jalin Hyatt would like a fresh start elsewhere, just as Neal does. Offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu is on injured reserve with a designation to return, and teams are always looking for offensive line help. So while the Giants might eschew the big deal -- I was firmly told that the Giants are not looking to deal edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux right now -- perhaps there is late-round value in a series of guys who just haven't worked out.
Neal and Hyatt are two recent draft busts who don't have much, if any role in the offense, so a fresh start is definitely needed.
A former No. 7 overall pick, Neal was a starter over the past three seasons but has been plagued by ineffective play and injury. As a result, he has been a healthy scratch all season.
Neal has almost no value at this point, so the best the Giants can hope for is a seventh-round pick. The 25-year-old will likely draw interest from teams that consider him a reclamation project, and he offers some versatility after he transitioned to guard this past offseason.
A former third-round pick, Hyatt showed some promise during his rookie season in 2023 but has been an afterthought ever since. Even in the wake of the Giants losing Malik Nabers to a torn ACL, Hyatt still isn't involved and has just 11 catches for 79 yards over his last 21 games dating back to 2024.
Fowler goes on to note that there are teams "looking for more of a vertical threat than a possession receiver," so it stands to reason there are teams that could take a flyer on Hyatt, who specializes as a field-stretching wideout. Hyatt isn't going to fetch more than a seventh-round pick, though.
With both players clearly having no future in New York, Schoen should wave the white flag on Hyatt and Neal and get at least something for them if the opportunity presents itself.
NFL trade rumors