New York Giants: Initial reaction to JPP trade to Tampa

One of the most notable trades of the NFL offseason occurred Thursday as the New York Giants traded Jason  Pierre-Paul to the Buccaneers.

Jason Pierre-Paul‘s time as with the New York Giants has come to an end. Big Blue agreed to send its two-time Pro Bowl selection to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a third-round pick in this year’s draft (No. 69 overall). The two teams will also swap fourth-round picks as part of the deal.

In 2017, the Giants rewarded Pierre-Paul with a four-year, $62 million contract that included $40 million guaranteed. The move saves new GM Dave Gettleman $2.5 million in salary-cap savings this season, but still requires the Giants to eat $15 million in dead money.

So what does this trade mean for Big Blue? For starters, it’s clear Gettleman is looking toward the future. Shedding Pierre-Paul’s contract now gives the team much more salary cap flexibility in 2019. With Odell Beckham Jr. and Landon Collins set to hit free agency next season, the Giants needed the extra cap space to sign one, or even both, to long-term deals.

Secondly, the trade further shakes up the NFL Draft.

Rumors are swirling the Giants are interested in North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb. Whether that’s the case or not, Gettleman created more ambiguity with what he plans to do behind the Cleveland Browns at No. 2 overall. Teams might be more willing to tip their hands, putting Gettleman in the ultimate position of power.

Next: Value of the second pick continues to rise

Lastly, by obtaining a third-round pick from the Buccaneers, Big Blue now has four picks in the top 100. That brings the total amount of picks to six, the same number Gettleman started with before he traded with the Los Angeles Rams for Alec Ogletree.

After losing key starters like Weston Richburg, Justin Pugh, and Devon Kennard to free agency, Gettleman needs as many picks as he can get his hands on. Sure, its sad to see one of the last members from the Super Bowl XLVI team leave. But for this year and beyond, trading Pierre-Paul was the right move.