The NFL landscape shifted on Monday when the Indianapolis Colts sent All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks. This move leaves the New York Giants without their top target for an immediate upgrade. Big Blue View reported the deal brings a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick to Indianapolis. The Giants wanted Nelson badly, but they simply did not have the draft capital to match the offer.
A Rebuilding Colts Move
Indianapolis is clearly looking to reset their roster. Nelson is 30 years old and enters the final year of a four-year, $80 million contract. The Colts are already short on first-round picks after sending two of them to the Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner. Per Big Blue View, the team needs every draft asset they can get right now. For a team appearing to start rebuilding, trading Nelson to Seattle is logical.
The Giants were the most logical fit for Nelson given their offensive line struggles. However, the trade market demands real value. The Giants currently hold picks in the first, second, third, and two sixth rounds. They might also receive a compensatory fourth-round pick later. This pile of assets is not enough to land a player of Nelson’s caliber in a hot market.
Giants Look Elsewhere for Help
With Nelson gone, the Giants must look at cheaper options to fix their defense. Big Blue View suggests defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson could be a low-cost target. He is under contract with the Los Angeles Chargers for one year at $6.2 million. ESPN recently proposed a deal where the Giants would swap a 2028 sixth-round pick for a seventh-round pick plus Tomlinson. The financial hit would be just $1.97 million of his base salary.
Tomlinson is a 32-year-old veteran who started four seasons with the Giants before leaving. He offers run defense experience, even if his Pro Football Focus grade was poor last season. The Giants require a reliable veteran to strengthen their rotation during the last 10 games. This type of move fits their limited budget better than chasing a star guard.
Quarterback Stability in Indy
While the Colts moved their best lineman, they kept their struggling quarterback. Heavy.com reported that head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Daniel Jones will remain the starter. Steichen said, “He knows he’s got to play better. He’s proven that he can do it.” The Colts are 2-5 with Jones under center after a loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
In his most recent four games, Jones finished only 55 percent of his passes. He has thrown four interceptions and lost a fumble in that span. The Giants, sitting at 4-2-1, are in first place in the NFC East.
