Alec Ogletree in 2013. (Wikipedia Commons. Author: Johnmaxmena2)
The Los Angeles Rams traded linebacker Alec Ogletree to the New York Giants on Wednesday for two 2018 draft picks.
The Giants dealt their fourth- and sixth-round picks in exchange for Ogletree and the Rams’ 2019 seventh-round pick.
Although the swap can’t become official until the new NFL league year begins on March 14, some pundits are viewing the move as one that could help the Giants. The G-Men finished the 2017 season a brutally dismal 3-13 and saw their head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese both fired before the season ended.
Former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is the Giants’ new head coach, and former Arizona Cardinals assistant coach James Bettcher replaced Steve Spagnuolo as New York’s defensive coordinator. Former Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula will lead the Giants’ offense.
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Ogletree — a 26-year-old the Rams drafted as a first-round pick in 2013 — tweeted his excitement to join the Giants on Wednesday evening:
The linebacker is known for his speed, which should benefit the Giants considering two of their three starters at the position — Devon Kennard and Jonathan Casillas — are set to become free agents. Only B.J. Goodson is returning.
Ogletree has compiled 502 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 6 interceptions, 42 passes defended, 12 forced fumbles and 2 touchdowns in 67 career games.
Ogletree has also had at least ten passes defended in three of the last four seasons.
The linebacker currently costs $10 million against the salary cap this season, although this could be trimmed to $4.5 million if the Giants convert his upcoming roster bonus next week into a signing bonus.
The Giants also received good news Thursday when it was revealed Oklahoma’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield would visit the team. Mayfield will also reportedly visit the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets in the following weeks as a prospect.
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