ESPN proposes blockbuster trade for Buffalo Bills
ESPN's Bill Barnwell proposed a blockbuster trade this week for the Buffalo Bills. Barnwell's trade proposal has the Bills sending running back Zack Moss and a second-round pick to the New York Giants for running back Saquon Barkley and a seventh-round pick. From ESPN: Barkley makes more sense for the Bills than McCaffrey. As a […]
ESPN's Bill Barnwell proposed a blockbuster trade this week for the Buffalo Bills.
Barnwell's trade proposal has the Bills sending running back Zack Moss and a second-round pick to the New York Giants for running back Saquon Barkley and a seventh-round pick.
Barkley makes more sense for the Bills than McCaffrey. As a more physical runner, he would do a better job of punishing teams who want to play light boxes and two-high alignments to avoid giving up big plays to quarterback Josh Allen. Barkley is a free agent after the season, which also plays in Buffalo's favor, since it would likely recoup a compensatory pick for him if he leaves in free agency. The Bills would be renting Barkley for a second-rounder before landing what would likely be a fourth-round pick in 2024.
It would be difficult for the 4-1 Giants to trade Barkley, who has rushed for 533 yards as the focal point of their offense this season. Coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen (both of whom just joined the organization from these very Bills) aren't naive to the situation at hand, though. This is a year where the Giants are doing their final evaluation of quarterback Daniel Jones and fixing their cap situation. They're two years and a new quarterback away from truly competing. And they'll also likely be shopping in free agency this offseason, meaning they're less likely to receive a compensatory pick for Barkley than the Bills would.
This would definitely be a "go for it" move by the Bills. And while I don't love the idea of giving up a second-round pick, getting a fourth-round comp pick if Barkley leaves in free agency would make this deal a little easier to digest.
The problem here is that I just can't see the Giants making this deal. New York is off to a 4-1 start and while it seems unlikely that they'll continue to play at such a high level, it would be silly to assume they aren't going to try to win the NFC East this season.
A big reason why the Giants are 4-1 right now is because of Barkley. So why would a contender — and the Giants are a contender right now — deal one of their best players?
Landing Barkley would be great for Buffalo's offense, but it seems highly unlikely that this proposed trade has an actual chance of happening.
Featured image via Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
