Analyzing the NY Giants' Best Trade Options with 9th Pick in NFL Draft

The New York Giants are in a somewhat enviable position for the 2015 NFL draft because this year they have the No. 9 pick overall.

Do the Giants need to stay put at No. 9, or are there some gambles they can take that might lead to better results? Here is a look at a few options that might be worth considering. 

Trade Up: Oakland Raiders (No. 4 Overall)

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The Oakland Raiders' most pressing needs, per NFL.com’s Gil Brandt, are pass-rusher, cornerback and receiver.

While taking a leap up five spots in the draft would probably cost the Giants their third-round pick, according to the values established in the NFL Trade Value Chart from WalterFootball.com, moving up in the first round would put them ahead of Washington, their divisional rivals.

Why is that important? Two of Washington’s needs, according to Brandt, include a pass-rusher and an offensive tackle—two positions that just happen to be what the former Dallas Cowboys personnel guru lists as being likely targets for the Giants. 

The Raiders have not been afraid to trade out of the top-10 slots. According to KFFL, Oakland swapped the third overall pick with the Miami Dolphins in 2013, moving down to No. 12 in that first round. 

If the Giants have an eye on prospects such as Iowa’s Brandon Scherff or a pass-rushing defensive end like Nebraska’s Randy Gregory, they might have to consider moving ahead of Washington, who drafts fifth, to be assured they get their man. 

Trade Down: Minnesota Vikings (No. 11 Overall)

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The last time the Giants traded down in the first round of the draft was in 2006, when, according to the Associate Press's David Porter, they sent the 25th overall pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for the 32nd overall pick and the Steelers’ third- and fourth-round picks in that same draft. 

New York ended up with defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka, who would go on to play defensive end and outside linebacker for New York in his career.

Might the Giants trade down again in order to pick up some additional draft picks? If they do, the Minnesota Vikings might be a good trading partner. 

If the Giants and Vikings swapped first-round picks, New York could also potentially end up with the Vikings' fourth-round pick, No. 107 overall before the compensatory picks are factored in, according to the draft trade-value chart.

The Vikings, whom NFL.com's Gil Brandt projects as needing a cornerback, tackle and running back, would jump ahead of the St. Louis Rams, whom Brandt projects are also in need of a cornerback.

Trade Up: New York Jets (No. 6 Overall)

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According to NFL.com’s Gil Brandt, the most pressing needs for the New York Jets include quarterback, cornerback and offensive tackle.

While this year’s quarterback class isn’t widely regarded as being as deep as last year’s, there are still some intriguing prospects the Jets could probably grab at No. 9 or even in the second round, such as Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson and Baylor’s Bryce Petty.

The Giants meanwhile, could potentially use the No. 6 spot to ensure they get either a pass-rusher like Randy Gregory, a safety like Landon Collins or an offensive lineman like Brandon Scherff.

Stay Put

There’s a time and a place for gambling, but when a club is in a “win or else” mode, chances are it’s not going to throw caution to the wind by trying to get too fancy regarding moving around in the first round of the draft.

That’s why the most likely—and best—scenario for the Giants on Day 1 will be they stay put at No. 9, where they are assured a top-10 prospect who should be able to make an immediate impact right out of the chute.

Who will it be?

One of the biggest needs for the Giants is their offensive line, which struggled with its consistency in run blocking.  

Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff, 6'5", 320 pounds, could be an ideal candidate to help fix that. According to Dane Brugler and Rob Rang of NFL Draft Scout, the young man’s “upper body strength, along with proper hand placement and good knee bend, make Scherff a force in the running game.”

While Big Blue View creates some question as to what the best position is for Scherff, a college left tackle, if he comes to the Giants, he could probably step right into the starting lineup as a Day 1 contributor thanks to the versatility of current right tackle Justin Pugh.

Both general manager Jerry Reese and head coach Tom Coughlin, in separate radio interviews with WFAN’s Mike Francesa (h/t CBS New York) last month, indicated that Pugh can line up at guard. Where he lines up will all depend on what the team does in free agency and the draft.

If the Giants go with Scherff, then chances are that Pugh will be able to remain at right tackle, the desire he expressed to Jordan Raanan of NJ Advance Media on the day after the 2014 regular-season finale. 

Patricia Traina covers the Giants for Inside Football, the Journal Inquirer and Sports Xchange. All quotes and information obtained firsthand unless otherwise sourced. Follow me on Twitter @Patricia_Traina.