Brad Wing to Giants: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction

The New York Giants reportedly acquired second-year punter Brad Wing from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday in exchange for a late-round draft pick.

Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post first reported the news. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network confirmed Wing replaces Steve Weatherford, whom the Giants released earlier Friday. Wing moving on means Jordan Berry wins the punting job in Pittsburgh, per Dale Lolley of the Observer-Reporter.

The Steelers will receive a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2016 draft, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano.

It's a marginal upgrade at best for the Giants.

Weatherford finished 17th in the NFL with an average of 45.5 yards per punt last season. Opponents returned his punts 10.6 yards per attempt (ranking him 27th), and his net punting average was also in the league's bottom 10 at 38.6 yards.

Wing averaged nearly two yards less per punt (43.7; 29th in the NFL) but did a better job of preventing opposing returners from making plays. His return average of 8.1 yards placed him 12th, and his net checked in at 38.8 yards, a shade better than the player he's replacing.

The switch doesn't come as a surprise, though. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin admitted earlier in the week Weatherford lacked the consistency he sought from the position, as noted by Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.

"You know what we're always after is directional, hang time, distance, location, hang, and the opportunity to put us in the best position from a coverage standpoint," Coughlin said. "Basically for me, it's always been put it outside the numbers. Well, he's been off and on. He's had some good ones and he's had some that aren't so good."

Coughlin seemingly prefers correct placement to help out the other players on special teams over pure leg strength. From that perspective, going with Wing rather than Weatherford is an upgrade, though the overall numbers are basically a wash.

Of course, with an offense featuring as many playmakers as the Giants should have when healthy, they will hope the punter isn't too busy most weeks.

All punting statistics courtesy of ESPN.