NFL

Giants in perfect spot to pounce following blockbuster Jets deal

The Giants have always had, shall we say, a complicated relationship with the Jets. The two franchises are business partners when it comes to sharing MetLife Stadium and very much adversaries in everything else — especially when it comes to turning on-field success into New York/New Jersey market dominance. Given what the Jets pulled off Saturday, though, perhaps these two “friendly’’ rivals could engage in trade talks mutually beneficial to both sides.

By moving up from No. 6 to No. 3 in the 2018 NFL Draft in a blockbuster deal with the Colts, the Jets are making loud and clear their intentions to find and select their next franchise quarterback. If the Browns, as widely expected, take Sam Darnold with the first-overall pick, the Jets are assured of getting whoever they like best among Josh Rosen, Josh Allen or even Baker Mayfield — as long as the Giants at No. 2 do not take him.

The Colts, who held the No. 3 pick, have Andrew Luck and did not need a quarterback. The Jets can sit tight at No. 3 — as long some other team does not trade with the Giants to get up to No. 2 to land a quarterback. If the Giants are taking a quarterback, they are staying put at No. 2 and taking him.

Here is where Giants general manager Dave Gettleman can have some fun. If he wants to make the Jets believe he is open for business on a trade-down, he should rent out three billboards outside East Rutherford, N.J., advertising that intention. If the Jets take the bait, perhaps they will be inclined to make a trade with the Giants, moving up one spot, to get to No. 2 to ensure they get their guy.

What would that take? Well, according to the NFL Draft Value Chart, an unofficial guide assigning points to every pick, moving up from No. 3 to No. 2 should cost 582 points — the equivalent of a high second-round pick. The problem is the Jets sent their two second-round picks in this draft and their 2019 second-round pick to the Colts in order to move up three spots. Any deal would likely have to be the pick for a player. Perhaps the Giants look at Darron Lee, a speedy linebacker, as a good fit in their new defense and accept the 2016 first-round pick as compensation for swapping draft spots with the Jets.

Another possible trade twist involves the Bills, who are leapfrogging in the first round, seemingly trying to get as high as possible to get a quarterback. They moved from No. 21 to No. 12 in a trade with the Bengals, but the 12th-overall pick is not high enough to land one of the top quarterback prospects. If the Giants are not taking a quarterback, they could work a deal with the Bills — if Gettleman is content to drop out of the top 10.

To drop from No. 2 to No. 12, the Giants should get 1,400 points of value. That could be accomplished if the Bills send their second first-round pick (22nd overall, worth 780 points) and their two second-round picks (53rd overall, worth 370 points, and 56th overall, worth 340 points) to the Giants. That adds up to 1,490 points and represents fair value. The Bills most likely would stipulate one of the second-round picks would be in 2019.

The Jets moving up could also make the Broncos anxious, as they sit at No. 5 and are eyeing quarterbacks. If they want to swap with the Giants and rise up three slots it would cost 900 value points. That adds up to the Broncos giving up the No. 5-overall pick, their second-round pick (40th overall, 500 points), their third-round pick (71st overall, 235 points) and their fourth-round pick (106th overall, 82 points). Or it could add up to a second-round pick this year and next year.

So would Gettleman pull the lever on such a deal? He would give up the chance to take a generational running back (Saquon Barkley), a formidable pass rusher (Bradley Chubb) or a perennial Pro Bowl guard (Quenton Nelson) for a draft pick haul possibly to set up the franchise for years. The Giants would own two picks in the first round of this draft, two picks in the second round and the Bills’ second-round pick next year, enough to stockpile at several positions.

Gettleman and the Giants are sitting pretty, and no doubt their phone lines are open.