The National Football Post reported over the weekend that the Giants are open to trading Osi Umenyiora during this week’s draft if they select South Florida’s Jason Pierre-Paul.
Umenyiora, who struggled while trying to rebound from a torn ACL injury suffered during the 2007 season, was upset with the way former defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan (who only lasted one year in the Big Apple) used him last year. While he was open to staying with the Giants, the relationship between him and the team has been strenuous since the end of last season.
There’s a good chance Pierre-Paul will be available when the Giants pick at No. 15. He’s a raw prospect, but he seems to have a higher ceiling than Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan, who is regarded as the top defensive end in this year’s draft. While it the situation makes sense on the surface, New York has a more pressing need to fill at middle linebacker and thus, even if Pierre-Paul is available at 15 it doesn’t mean that they’ll take him. And obviously if they don’t take a DE in the first round, then Umenyiora is unlikely to be traded.
This story will likely pick up steam heading into the draft, but is one that could fizzle very quickly.
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