How a Colin Kaepernick trade could impact the New York Giants

The New York Giants don't need, or want, current San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Giants fans, though, should be paying attention to whether or not the 49ers ultimately trade Kaepernick to the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos.

Why? Because the fallout should the Broncos be able to acquire Kaepernick would likely include veteran offensive tackle Ryan Clady becoming available.

#Broncos would also have to deal or release Clady and tweak deal or two like Demaryius Thomas' to make the cap room to add Kaepernick.

— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) April 3, 2016

A four-time Pro Bowl player, the 29-year-old Clady missed the 2015 season with a torn ACL. The Broncos have already signed Russell Okung as a free agent and Okung, a player the Giants had in for a visit, seems likely to become Denver's left tackle.

Even without a deal for Kaepernick, the Broncos might be moving on from Clady, who has played left tackle throughout his career. The Giants continue to be committed to Ereck Flowers at left tackle, meaning the only way they would likely get Clady to come to New York to play the right side would be via a trade that would leave Clady, due $19.5 million in base salary, over the final two years of a five-year, $52.5 million contract, no choice but to play the right side for the Giants. If Clady hits the open market he, like Okung and others, will likely wait for a team to give him a left tackle job.

A reunion between the Giants and Will Beatty continues to appear unlikely. The Giants parted ways with Beatty because of money, health, inconsistency and Beatty's apparent desire to look for a job as a left tackle. Interestingly, the Broncos have reportedly expressed interest in Beatty. It's not known if Beatty would be willing to go to Denver, where there might not even be a starting role available.

Clady, because of the cost and the Giants' belief in Flowers, appears to be an unlikely candidate for the Giants' right tackle job. Still, it doesn't hurt the Giants to inquire and it might be wise to pay attention to what eventually happens with Kaepernick.