This Alec Ogletree Trade Is Already One of the Best in Giants History

Photo via DailyNews.com

According to Ian Rapoport, the New York Giants will trade their compensatory fourth-round pick and a sixth-round pick in 2018 for Alec Ogletree and a Rams 7th-rounder in 2019. Here’s why it should go down as one of the best trades in Giants history.

Right off the bat, I loved this move. Truth be told, I didn’t know a whole lot about Ogletree. I knew enough to feel good about bringing him in for what seems like a steal. Looking into his stats, he’s easily the best linebacker the Giants have landed since Antonio Pierce in 2009 AND has the potential to be better.

The Giants aren’t blockbuster traders. There was the trade for Carolina’s Jon Beason in 2013 that went nowhere. The trade for Cincy’s Keith Rivers in 2012 was unremarkable. Recent trades for Pittsburgh’s Ross Cockrell and Brad Wing have garnered mixed results.

The last blockbuster trade the Giants executed was the 2004 Draft Day swap for Eli. Ogletree’s probably not giving you the returns Manning has but his contributions could be just as crucial. Hell, if Ogletree can come in and take the Giants defense to two Super Bowls, I don’t see why we wouldn’t fast-track him into the Ring of Honor.

Remove Ogletree’s 2015 season in which he missed 12 games and Alec has better stats than Pierce through their first four full seasons. Over those four years, Alec averaged double-digits pass deflections and 85 solo tackles. Pro Football Focus gave him a ‘poor’ grade in 2017 but his Pro Football Reference Approximate Value has been 8 or better most of his career. His first two seasons were monstrous and 2016 was a considerable comeback.

Dude will be 27 when the 2018 season begins and joins BJ Goodson to form one of the more formidable inside linebacking units in the league. Calm down, I know Goodson hasn’t really shined yet but he’s shown promise when healthy.

The only question marks that remain with NYG’s LB corps are on the outside. Do the Giants continue to show faith in impending free agent Devon Kennard? Is the front office tripping balls for thinking Olivier Vernon and Jason Pierre-Paul can transition to OLB? Needless to say, I am DYING to see what this organization does in the draft. I’m excessively high on Shaquem Griffin after he strapped on a robo-arm and pumped out 20 reps on the bench then ran a blazing 40.

Gettleman is going to Make Giants LBs Great Again. We’re going back in time to the 3-4 of the ’80s. LT, Carson, Banks, Reasons, Pepper, Van Pelt, Kelley. Summon the spirits of the Crunch Bunch and Big Blue Wrecking Crew and go out there like a bunch of crazed dogs.

PS – The trade for ‘Tree is also interesting because his tackle on Odell Beckham back in 2014 instigated an all-out brawl. ‘Memba? Does this mean Beckham might not get re-signed? (*cue Dramatic Chipmunk*)