Welcome back, Giants fans (and football nerds everywhere)! On this week’s episode of the Third and Ten Podcast, Nathan Nguyen and Brian Germinaro dig into the nitty-gritty, playing GM to “fix” the New York Giants—pre-NFL Combine, pre-free agency, pre-chaos.
We’re talking cap space wizardry, bold trades, a slew of signings, and loaded mock drafts as our hosts lay out their very different plans to retool the roster and get Big Blue back to relevance.
Cap Clean-Up: The Giants Need Room to Breathe
The Giants start with just $5.9 million in cap space—a tight squeeze compared to the rest of the league. Nate gets to work and carves out $55 million, but Brian blows past that, clearing $67 million with some aggressive cuts and smart restructures.
Key casualties include James Hudson (“a plague on the roster”), Devin Singletary (whose $5M cap hit isn’t palatable for an RB3), and fan-frustration legend Graham Gano. Both hosts agree: sentimentality is for the Hall of Fame, not the salary cap spreadsheet.
Trades: Blockbusters and Bargains
Both hosts take advantage of the surprisingly flexible “sticktothemodel.com” simulator to overhaul the roster. Brian trades Deonte Banks, Darius Slayton, Jalen Hyatt, and John Michael Schmitz for a pile of valuable picks. Meanwhile, Nate gets bold, trading for Devon Witherspoon and sending Adebo and Slayton packing.
Their logic: move on from disappointing assets before their value hits zero, load up on picks, and get younger—all themes Giants fans can appreciate… even if the trade returns range from “too good to be true” to “sure, why not, it’s the pre-combine.”
Free Agency: Weapons and Wisdom
Among the splashy signings, Brian lands Mike Evans for a year (“future Hall of Famer, well worth the risk”) to instantly upgrade the receiving corps. Both bring back unstoppable slot-man Wan’Dale Robinson and add intriguing fits like Isaiah Likely at tight end and Tyler Linderbaum (snagging him is priority #1 for both) to solidify the O-line. There’s a clear vision: surround Jaxson Dart with playmakers, then see what the young QB can become.
On defense, it’s all about versatility and leadership; Nate brings a familiar face in Jabrill Peppers for a “hybrid” role as leader, safety, and all-around fixer.
The Draft: Building a Core for Now and Later
Time for a new direction. Both hosts dive deep into the draft—armed with extra picks after their trades.
Brian Germanaro:
Anchors the O-line with Francis Mauigoa (Miami, OT) at pick 5.Reinforces the defense with Mason Thomas (EDGE), Jacob Rodriguez (LB), and A.J. Halsey (S), and then grabs major WR help for Dart.
Nathan Owen:
Takes Caleb Downs early, betting on elite secondary playmaking over positional need.Loads up at WR with Chris Brazzell II, plus linebackers to replenish depth.
Both hosts target youth, speed, and upside—and treat the late rounds as a depth-building bonanza.
The Result: Hope on the Horizon?
The models love their work; Nate scores an A-, Brian a B+. The pod wraps on a cautiously optimistic note: no, you can’t fix the Giants overnight, but with good process, smart cuts, bold trades, and a commitment to building through youth and the draft, the road out of mediocrity looks a lot clearer.
Bonus: Spring Training Antics, WBC Rants, and Basketball Takes
As always, it’s not a Third and Ten episode without a detour through baseball (why do the A’s exist, again?), World Baseball Classic hot takes (“play or don’t play, Skubal!”), and a quick Kings vs. Pacers trade debate.
Final Thoughts:
If you crave practical roster construction talk, honest New York media gripes, and a healthy dose of off-topic banter, this is your episode. Fixing the Giants isn’t just about new faces—it’s about laying a new foundation for the next decade. Catch the next episode as free agency kicks off—who knows, maybe Mike Evans will actually consider moving to New York.
Listen to the full episode for every high-stakes decision, sarcasm, and debate.
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