New York Giants Trade Up For Running Back In All-Trades Mock Draft

Sep 30, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) rushes the ball against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Washington won 44-6. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) rushes the ball against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Washington won 44-6. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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What move did the New York Giants make in Bill Barnwell’s all-trades NFL mock draft at ESPN?

The New York Giants are heading into the 2017 NFL Draft with some clear needs. They need some depth along the defensive line with Johnathan Hankins leaving in free agency to the Indianapolis Colts. The offensive line could use an upgrade, as well as the linebackers.

With the 23rd pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Giants have a good chance of landing a player at one of those three positions. They could also look to upgrade at tight end such one of the top prospects, O.J. Howard or David Njoku, fall to them.

In most mock drafts both Howard and Njoku are selected prior to the 20th pick. If the draft falls that way, the only way the Giants will land a tight end is by moving up in the first round. That is exactly what Bill Barnwell has them doing.

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Barnwell made a fun mock draft over at ESPN. His first round mock draft is unique because it includes every team making a trade involving their first round pick. Predicting a first round mock is a difficult thing to do, so it was an interesting read with Barnwell taking a different approach with his.

In his mock, Barnwell has the Giants moving up to the 19th pick, trading with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Barnwell has the Giants trading the 23rd overall pick and their third round pick, No.87, to the Buccaneers in exchange for the 19th overall pick and the Buccaneers fifth round pick, No.162.

The Buccaneers have been a team many mock drafts have selecting a tight end. Taking their spot could guarantee the Giants landing an upgrade at tight end, but Barnwell has them heading in a different direction, selecting Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey.

Here is what Barnwell had to say about his hypothetical trade and selection for the Giants.

"The Giants probably aren’t in a position to trade a bunch of assets to move up into the top 10 and grab Leonard Fournette, but Christian McCaffrey should be a good fit for Ben McAdoo’s one-back passing attack and might be available into the late teens. It’s entirely possible that Denver general manager John Elway has his eyes on McCaffrey at 20, so the Giants might need to move up four spots if they want to upgrade on the duo of Shane Vereen and Paul Perkins."

While the mock draft was fun to read with all of the trades, the Giants trading up for anyone is extremely unlikely. It is not Jerry Reese‘s MO to trade up in the NFL Draft; he has not once done it during his tenure as general manager.

Next: New York Giants Select O.J. Howard In First Round Mock Draft

If the Giants do trade up, it is unlikely to be for McCaffery either. While McCaffery would fit into the Giants offense as a running back and help as a receiver, the Giants have more pressing needs. If the Giants are moving up in the draft it should be to shore up their offensive line or add an impact defensive lineman.