Prior to the 2018 trade deadline, the struggling Giants made multiple deals to collect future draft capital. They dealt Damon Harrison and Eli Apple and received fourth-, fifth- and seventh-round picks in those exchanges.
However, the Buccaneers were willing to give up a better pick for Landon Collins. Near the deadline, Tampa Bay offered a third-round choice for the All-Pro safety, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv reports. The Bucs did not profile as buyers last season but identified Collins as a player they wanted to keep around long-term, rather than a contract-year rental player, per Vacchiano.
While Tampa Bay has a new coaching staff, GM Jason Licht remains in place. He traded a 2018 third-round pick to the Giants for Jason Pierre-Paul. The Bucs could be a Collins suitor in free agency. They are still in need of help at a few spots on defense. After allowing the most passing yards in 2017, the Bucs’ defense yielded the 26th-most in 2018.
However, the Giants may prevent that from happening. They are still expected to place the franchise tag on the three-time Pro Bowler, but an extension may be difficult. A Collins tag would cost the Giants more than $11MM, and with no known negotiations having taken place since he became extension-eligible last year, this could become a reluctant rental situation. If tagged, Collins is pondering a holdout.
Just 25, Collins would stand to pursue a top-end safety pact, with Vacchiano noting this could eclipse $12MM per year and surpass $20MM guaranteed. The Giants have $28MM-plus in cap space — 16th in the league — and needs exist at several spots on Big Blue’s defense.
What are the Giants really adding in FA anyway? All about the draft. Sign the man otherwise you’ve got another hole to replace. 3 or 4 years 11M avg.
I agree. Its not like he was itching to get out of New York going into this season. Up until recently, he seemed pretty set on trying to stay with the Giants. Their defense already has a ton of holes to fill, either sign him or trade him so they can atleast have some clarity on this situation before the draft/free agent period. He seems to be one of the leaders and more well liked guys in that locker room so the last thing you want is a player like him being a potential distraction.
Giants are at least two years away from being competitive (prob closer to 4). Why wouldn’t they sell off everyone and start rebuilding ?
He will look really good in a Broncos jersey.
Imagine if the Giants got back Djax for Collins… that’d be one hell of a wr corp
Collins was a 2nd rounder and has been a better player than where he got drafted and TB offered a 3rd?
He was essentially a first rounder (first pick in the 2nd round) as well.