NFL trade deadline 2017: Landing spots for DRC

The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. Unless the 1-6 New York Giants can find a deal that would add a player who could be part of their long-term future it makes the most sense for them to be deadline sellers.

Problem is, they don’t really have a high number of veteran players other teams might be willing to acquire. There have been no whispers about Eli Manning going anywhere in what would be a franchise-changing mega-trade, so let’s talk about more realistic scenarios.

The most tradeable asset the Giants have is veteran cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Reality is that while DRC is still a good player, whether or not he plays for the Giants over the final nine games isn’t going to make any real difference in how this season turns out for the Giants. There isn’t going to be a post-season.

While mentioning it upsets some Giants fans, the reality is that the 31-year-old Rodgers-Cromartie is almost certainly not in the Giants’ plans beyond this season. He carries an $8.5 million salary cap hit next season, a ton of money for a 32-year-old corner who has really become a part-time player, and the Giants can save $6 million against the cap by cutting him. If they don’t trade him by 4 p.m. Tuesday, it would be a huge upset if they don’t cut him in the offseason.

So, who might want DRC?

Chris recently proposed trading Rodgers-Cromartie to the Pittsburgh Steelers for unhappy wide receiver Martavis Bryant. Reports indicate the Steelers are ignoring Bryant’s trade requests, so you can likely forget that.

The most likely destination I can come up with is the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick always seems to collect veteran players who can help a playoff push. Despite being 6-2, New England is last in the league in both total defense and passing yards allowed. Rodgers-Cromartie has enough left to help.

The Kansas City Chiefs are another good team that could use secondary help. There are apparently teams in the cornerback market, so perhaps the Giants can find a deal.

Is there anyone else?

The only other player I can see generating a real market might be running back Shane Vereen. He is in the final year of a three-year, $12.35 million contract and it would seem unlikely the Giants will bring him back next season. Vereen has 22 receptions this season in 26 targets. Contending teams looking for additional options in their passing game might have interest.