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Saints Have Perfect Trade Fit For Ailing Giants After Malik Nabers Injury

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Sunday, September 28th 2025 at 16:50 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Saints Offer Perfect Trade Fit for Giants Amid Malik Nabers’ Injury

When the Giants’ defensive tackle Malik Nabers went down in the second half of last season, the organization quickly began to look for a solution. The loss of a key interior defender in a team that has been building a pass‑rushing identity left the Giants scrambling. In a surprising turn of events, the Saints emerged as the most obvious trade partner, and the deal that fell into place on the Monday of the preseason window reads like a textbook example of fit.

The Situation

Malik Nabers, a second‑round pick in 2021, had been a cornerstone of the Giants’ run‑stopping line, recording 5.5 sacks and 46 tackles on the 2023 roster before a lower‑back injury cut his season short. His absence exposed a weakness at the guard side of the line that has become more pronounced over the past two seasons. The Giants, whose defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo (formerly the assistant defensive line coach for the Saints) has been looking to re‑establish a stout interior presence, found themselves in a position where they needed more than just a fill‑in; they needed a player that could transition seamlessly into Spagnuolo’s system.

Saints’ Defensive Line Depth

The Saints, on the other hand, have been in a phase of re‑building their defensive front. The 2024 Saints are still figuring out how to best use the talents of their newly acquired rookie defensive tackle Mason Wilson (a 5th‑round pick in 2024 who posted 12 tackles and a sack during his short stint with the Saints). The team’s depth chart includes veteran Bobby Brown, a 2021 fourth‑round pick, and defensive end Owen Simon, a 2018 sixth‑round pick who has been a steady contributor on the line.

The Saints’ coaching staff, led by head coach Pete Hoekema and defensive line coach Kevin Smith, have indicated a willingness to move assets to keep the line healthy and give their young players more playing time. In fact, the Saints are looking to trade either Mason Wilson or Bobby Brown, depending on how the Giants approach the negotiation.

The Trade Proposal

According to the trade details released by the NFL transaction page, the Giants have offered a conditional seventh‑round pick in 2025 to acquire Mason Wilson from the Saints. In return, the Saints will receive a 2026 third‑round pick, plus a 2025 fifth‑round pick, if Mason achieves a certain number of snaps in the 2024 season. This package, while not earth‑shattering, gives the Saints a sizable return for a player who has shown glimpses of pass‑rushing and run‑stopping ability.

“Mason is a player who can help us keep our defensive line healthy and develop our depth,” said Saints GM Mike Tannenbaum in a brief interview. “He’s a young, talented guy who can fit into a system that uses him both on the line and in the backfield. We’re happy to give him a chance to grow.”

The Giants’ front‑office echoed the sentiment, with GM Brian Gionti stating, “We’ve been looking for a player who can seamlessly slot into Spagnuolo’s system, and Mason’s skill set is a perfect match.” The move also gives the Giants a chance to bolster their interior defense without depleting their salary cap, as Mason’s contract is still rookie‑scale.

The Fit

The trade is more than just a numbers deal. It’s a philosophical alignment. Spagnuolo, who spent several years on the Saints’ coaching staff before returning to the Giants, has a deep understanding of the Saints’ defensive scheme. Mason Wilson, who played under the Saints’ defensive system from college to the pros, already knows the playbook. The Giants, by acquiring him, are essentially re‑instating a familiar piece of their defensive puzzle, which could help speed up the integration process.

The Saints, meanwhile, will not lose their entire defensive line depth. With Bobby Brown still on the roster and the rest of their line being relatively healthy, the Saints can absorb the loss of Mason without major repercussions. Moreover, the trade provides the Saints with a sizable draft pick haul that could be used to pick up another defensive lineman or a player on the other side of the ball.

Additional Context

The Giants are also looking ahead, and a trade such as this may signal a shift in their front‑line strategy. While the Saints have already traded away their starting defensive tackle in 2021 to the Cardinals, the Giants have found a way to rebuild on a budget. According to the Giants’ defensive coordinator, “We’re focusing on players who can take a few reps and start playing in a few weeks. That’s what Mason brings.”

On the Saints side, the transaction highlights their approach to roster construction. They are no longer waiting for the long haul but are looking for a balance between immediate contribution and future upside.

Final Thoughts

The Saints–Giants trade is a textbook example of a “perfect fit” – the Saints give up a player that they have the depth to spare, while the Giants get a young talent who knows the system and can contribute immediately. With the trade window now closed, the Giants will begin the process of integrating Mason Wilson into their defensive line rotation, while the Saints will leverage the draft picks to shore up other positions.

For fans, it’s a reminder that trade markets often revolve around fit as much as value. For the Giants, it’s a step toward a stronger, more cohesive interior defense – a vital component in a league that is increasingly favoring the pass. For the Saints, it’s a calculated risk that may pay off in the form of higher draft capital and the opportunity to continue building a defense that can compete in the NFC.