Following the preseason finale loss to the Patriots, the Giants made a trade today. They traded 2018 3rd Round pick, BJ Hill, and a conditional seventh round pick, for former 1st round pick, Center Billy Price. This trade has obvious implications on both the offense and defensive lines, but it could mean even more down the line for the Giants controversial General Manager.
Trade Implications on the Offensive Line
Through three preseason games, one thing that has become abundantly clear is that the Giants need to acquire better offensive line depth. Training Camp started out with the retirements of interior linemen Zach Fulton and Joe Looney, and led to the emergence of Kenny Wiggins and Ted Larsen as the Giants main depth pieces on the interior offensive line. Neither Wiggins nor Larsen have played particularly well, and last night’s game saw Larsen exit with an injury. The acquisition of Price can only help this offensive line. Price was a touted prospect coming out of Ohio State in 2018, and although he has largely been a disappointment of a first round pick, he is a good, young, player to add to the Giants offensive line room. Price also adds versatility, as he can play guard as well. This is good, because Jonathan Harrison has looked good as the backup center. Harrison also has the ability to play guard, as does starting Center Nick Gates. This allows the Giants to have a number of options should they need to play one of these three at guard. The Giants offensive line got better today with the addition of Billy Price, and Lord knows we need more of that.
Trade Implications on the Defensive Line
BJ Hill’s time with the Giants was marred by bad luck. Hill was drafted by the Giants in 2018, and broke the Giants rookie sack record with 5.5 sacks. He looked like he was going to be a core player on the Giants defensive line for years to come. Following his rookie season, the Giants drafted Dexter Lawrence in the first round, and later traded for Leonard Williams mid-way through 2019. Not to mention, the Giants already had Dalvin Tomlinson. Hill’s snaps decreased, and he never produced the numbers he did his rookie year. Following the departure of Tomlinson this past offseason, Hill likely would have played a healthy number of snaps, but the fact of the matter is, this trade had to be done. The offensive line needed depth, and the defensive line has players behind Hill that have looked like like they can be solid contributors. The Giants brought back Austin Johnson after playing well in 2020, and both Raymond Johnson and David Moa have flashed in the preseason. Are any of those players as good as BJ Hill? That remains to be seen, but moving on from Hill was a necessary move, despite the fact that it may hurt the defensive line.
Trade Implications on Dave Gettleman
If you haven’t heard all ready, this is a make or break season for Dave Gettleman. He has yet to produce a winning season, and his time in New York will more than likely come to an end if the Giants don’t win this year. One of Dave Gettleman’s saving graces is that he has been considered a good drafter by many fans and experts. At the time, the Giants 2018 draft received generally good praise, but with the departure of Hill, and the previous releases of RJ McIntosh and Kyle Lauletta, there are just three players left from that draft class: Saquon Barkley, Will Hernandez, and Lorenzo Carter. All three of these players are facing huge make or break seasons in their own right, and whether they succeed or not will directly affect Dave Gentleman’s fate. Half of Gettleman’s 2019 draft class are also no longer with the Giants, and Daniel Jones, Oshane Ximines, and Darius Slayton all have big question marks on their backs going into 2021. The BJ Hill trade marks the exit of another Dave Gettleman guy, let’s hope Billy Price can help offset that departure.
(Photo: Joseph Maiorana/USA Today Sports)
