Giants Trade DE Jason Pierre-Paul to Buccaneers

The new regime of the New York Giants continue their retooling of the team. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports the Giants traded defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and their 2018 fourth round pick (No. 102) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for their 2018 third (No. 69) and fourth (No. 108) rounders.

httpss://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/976822630258003969

“We appreciate everything Jason has done for the Giants,” said general manager Dave Gettleman. “He was a fine player for us, and he helped our franchise win Super Bowl XLVI. We wish him well in the future.”

Pierre-Paul had the following to say about the trade, as well as thanking Giants fans for their support during his eight years with the organization:

httpss://www.instagram.com/p/BgovOseBXEL/?hl=en&taken-by=iamjasonpierrepaul

What the Trade Means for New York and Tampa

The writing appeared to be on the wall for Pierre-Paul, as the Giants’ are switching to a 3-4 defense under new coordinator James Bettcher. The former All-Pro defensive end does not exactly fit the new defensive scheme.

Now we get to the financials. Pierre-Paul was entering the second-year of his four-year, $62 million contract, where he carried a $12.5 million cap hit. After the trade, the Giants get that cap space back, opening them up for additional moves.

Pierre-Paul now joins a Tampa Bay squad who boasted the worst defense in the entire league last season in terms of yards allowed per game (378.1). Not to mention they’ve had trouble getting to the quarterback, only posting 22 sacks this season, worst in the NFL. Pierre-Paul is coming off a season where he recorded 8.5 sacks, which the Buccaneers will certainly welcome with open arms.

Bradley Chubb to New York?

As for the Giants, this could now completely alter their draft plans. New York has been heavily linked to the running back Saquon Barkley, offensive guard Quenton Nelson, and the top quarterbacks at the No.2 pick. The trade of Pierre-Paul could cause the Giants to strongly consider one of the other top names in the draft. That prospect is North Carolina State edge rusher Bradley Chubb.

httpss://twitter.com/Giants/status/976877416999194626

Chubb has been ranked at the top of the best overall prospects in this year’s draft class. The defensive end is coming off a strong senior season, recording 72 total tackles (23 for a loss) and ten sacks. The six-foot-four, 269 lbs edge showed he has tremendous hand work, in terms of breaking through the offensive line with his 34 inch arm length. Chubb could prove to be a nightmare on the line of scrimmage. What could benefit his overall growth is lining up alongside Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison.

Nothing is set in stone, but after the trade, the likelihood of Chubb donning Big Blue has significantly increased. Now, it is just a matter of whether the Giants stay at No.2 overall, or trade down with another team.

We are a month away from the NFL Draft, and the Giants are now the most interesting team on the draft board. The door has closed on Jason Pierre-Paul in New York, but a new door is opening.