Giants mock trade to land star 49ers wide receiver
After a disappointing 2023 season, the New York Giants must make major enhancements to their offense in the upcoming offseason. Exploring a potential trade for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk could be a valuable option for the Giants.
Rumors have swirled about Aiyuk’s potential dissatisfaction in San Francisco, with speculation that he may be looking for a new team.
Aiyuk is undeniably talented and has the potential to be a top-tier receiver in the league. However, averaging just 6.5 targets per game this past season, the 49ers don’t seem to utilize him to his full potential, as Deebo Samuel often overshadows him in their offensive scheme.
For San Francisco to retain Aiyuk, they may have to offer him a significant contract extension, potentially exceeding $25 million per season. This raises the question – is it worth paying such a hefty price for a player who isn’t utilized as a primary option on the team?
This is where the Giants come into play. Acquiring Aiyuk could be a game-changing move for them, as he has the ability to immediately step in as their No. 1 receiver and provide the offensive firepower they desperately need.
Aiyuk has a $14 million cap hit for the 2024 season, which is relatively low for a top receiver, making him an attractive option for Big Blue. If he signs an extension, his deal could be backloaded, meaning his 2024 cap hit could be lowered while his later cap hits would be closer to $30 million, which the G-Men will be able to afford by then.
The Giants currently have an effective cap space of around $14-$18 million, but this could change depending on roster moves. By potentially cutting guard Mark Glowinski and restructuring the contracts of both Andrew Thomas and Dexter Lawrence, the G-Men could have up to $60 million in cap space to work with when free agency begins.
Financially, the Giants are well prepared to afford Aiyuk, but the trade package they offer may ultimately be the deciding factor.
