Micah Parsons-Type Trade Involving All-Pro Cornerback Could Be Coming Before Week 1
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The New York Giants opened the preseason with a 13-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday. While the final score brought up some early questions, it was the secondary that really looked weak.
Deonte Banks and Colton Hood played the entire first half. Dru Phillips and Greg Newsome missed the game with injuries. Banks and Hood struggled at times, which exposed a real concern for New York.
Those early headaches could force the Giants to explore the trade market. In fact, Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com floated the idea that New York should check in with the New England Patriots about a potential blockbuster deal for cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Giants Could Explore A Blockbuster Deal For Gonzalez
Gonzalez has not signed a new contract with the Patriots. That situation could give the Giants an opening if New England decides to listen to trade offers.
“Patriots could sign Christian Gonzalez to a top of the market deal tomorrow. They probably should’ve yesterday. And they haven’t, so until they do, it’s a situation that is unsettled,” Stapleton wrote.
He then raised the idea of a major trade involving the Giants.
“If I’m the Giants, I explore the chance they would deal him like the Cowboys dealt Micah.”
The reference points to the blockbuster trade involving Micah Parsons and the Green Bay Packers. A Gonzalez trade would likely demand a similar level of draft capital.
New York has the picks to make such a move possible. However, the Giants would need to give Gonzalez a major contract after acquiring him.
Spotrac projects a three-year deal worth $84.8 million for Gonzalez. That contract would turn his remaining two rookie-contract years into a five-year agreement.
Gonzalez would give the Giants a proven cornerback at a position that needs help. He earned a Pro Bowl selection last season while playing for New England. He also allowed a 64.4 passer rating when quarterbacks targeted him.
The 24-year-old cornerback enters his fourth NFL season with his future still unclear. His representatives and the Patriots have not reached an agreement on an extension.
For the Giants, that uncertainty opens a golden opportunity for the Giants. If New York puts together an aggressive trade package, it could tempt New England to consider.
Getting Gonzalez would fix the Giants’ defense right away. He could lock down the top cornerback spot while the team figures out who plays on the other side.
Bringing in a young Pro Bowl corner would be a huge statement for John Harbaugh in his first year as head coach. Still, making a trade like that would probably cost multiple first-round picks and a massive new contract.
