Giants Make Surprise Trade with Jaguars Involving 2026 Free-Agent Signing After 1 Preseason Game

Former Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Daniel Faalele will not be reuniting with coach John Harbaugh this upcoming season after all.

The New York Giants are trading Faalele to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a Day 3 pick in the 2027 NFL draft, per Newsday Sports' Evan Barnes and NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

The Giants signed Faalele, who spent the last four years playing for Harbaugh in Baltimore, to a one-year deal in April.

Faalele, who has played 66 NFL games since he was selected by the Ravens in the fourth round of the 2022 draft, will turn 27 in November.

His contract with the Giants was a one-year, $1.4 million deal with $687,000 guaranteed, per The Athletic's Dan Duggan.

The Giants will eat his $187,500 signing bonus as part of the trade, per Spotrac.

Faalele made his Giants debut at left guard in a Saturday preseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

He was outworked by Vikings defensive lineman Elijah Williams on a 1-on-1 pass protection play that led to quarterback Jaxson Dart taking one of the two sacks that eventually sent him to the medical tent.

Prior to signing with the Giants, Faalele started every game of the last two seasons for the Ravens while playing at right guard.

The Giants had less need at the position after using the No. 10 pick of the 2026 draft to select Francis Mauigoa, who started at right guard in his preseason debut.

Harbaugh is set to continue starting Jon Runyan at left guard, while Aaron Stinnie could become the Giants' go-to ask backup in the wake of Faalele's departure.

The Jaguars will meanwhile add depth to a position of need after starting right guard Patrick Mekari underwent back surgery this offseason. Mekari is expected to play again this season but does not yet have a return timeline, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.

With other offensive linemen including Walker Little and Wyatt Milum also sidelined, Faalele will be expected to see playing time as soon as the Jaguars' Friday preseason matchup against the Carolina Panthers.