Arizona Cardinals–New York Giants Trade History

The Chicago Cardinals purchased guard Lou Marotti from the New York Giants on September 14, 1943, in a straight cash transaction, according to contemporaneous reporting. Marotti played 15 games for the Cardinals/Card-Pitt organization from 1943 through 1945. Because the cash amount is not identified, the football value surrendered by New York cannot be measured precisely, leaving no evidence-backed winner.

New York acquired the rights to Tex Coulter from the Chicago Cardinals in a December 1946 swap of first-round draft choices, sending the rights to Vic Schwall in return. Coulter became a long-term Giants lineman and later earned Pro Bowl recognition, while Schwall played four NFL seasons with the Cardinals. The exchange produced real value on both sides.

New York obtained a 1948 ninth-round selection from the Chicago Cardinals, and that pick became guard Ed Royston at No. 75 overall. Royston played 21 games for the Giants and started 12 across the 1948 and 1949 seasons. Other consideration remains undisclosed, but the realized draft return supports New York's existing C+ grade.

New York received a 1949 25th-round selection from the Chicago Cardinals, and the transferred pick became Iowa back Ralph Doran at No. 250 overall. Doran did not appear in an NFL regular-season game. The Cardinals' consideration remains undisclosed, so the Giants' edge is modest and rests on having the only clearly traceable asset.

New York acquired quarterback Ray Mallouf from the Chicago Cardinals in September 1949 for a player to be named later. The researched transaction evidence does not support the extra 1950 third-round pick previously attached to the Cardinals' return. Mallouf spent the final season of his NFL career with the Giants, appearing in 11 games.

New York sent Dick Nolan and rookie Bobby Joe Conrad to the Chicago Cardinals for defensive back Lindon Crow and kicker-end Pat Summerall. Crow became a multi-year Giants starter and intercepted Johnny Unitas in the 1958 championship game, while Summerall supplied important kicking. Conrad developed into a long-term Cardinals standout, keeping the trade productive on both sides despite New York's slight edge.

New York acquired quarterback Ralph Guglielmi from St. Louis for rookie Bill Triplett and a high 1963 draft choice that became No. 13 overall, Don Brumm. Guglielmi served mainly behind Y.A. Tittle and produced little lasting Giants value. Triplett soon became a 1,000-yard-from-scrimmage back for the Cardinals, while Brumm added another meaningful first-round asset.

New York traded defensive back John Symank to St. Louis on July 3, 1963 for a future high draft choice. Contemporary reporting establishes that player-for-pick structure, although surviving references do not identify the downstream selection with equal confidence. Symank played only the 1963 season for the Cardinals, while the Giants retained a future premium draft opportunity beyond his brief St. Louis tenure.

New York and St. Louis exchanged veterans before the 1967 season, with running back Bill Triplett going to the Giants and linebacker Jerry Hillebrand going to the Cardinals. Contemporary reporting and later team histories identify a straight player-for-player trade. Triplett played 11 Giants games with four starts in 1967; Hillebrand appeared in all 14 Cardinals games.

New York acquired veteran defensive tackle Sam Silas from the St. Louis Cardinals on August 14, 1968 for its 1970 second-round draft choice, later used at No. 38 overall on guard Chuck Hutchison. Silas played all 14 games for the 1968 Giants and made two starts, giving New York one season of useful defensive-line depth before he moved on to San Francisco.

New York acquired Ottis Anderson from the St. Louis Cardinals for two 1987 draft choices, later identified as the second-round pick used on Scott Schwedes and the seventh-round pick used on William Harris. Anderson initially served as depth, then became a key starter and Super Bowl XXV MVP. The two-pick cost proved modest compared with his championship impact, giving the Giants a decisive long-term win.

The Giants traded up six spots in the 2013 fourth round for quarterback Ryan Nassib, sending Arizona picks No. 116 and No. 187. Nassib remained a reserve behind Eli Manning and started no regular-season games for New York. The Cardinals turned the return into lineman Earl Watford and running back Andre Ellington, who became an explosive multi-year offensive contributor. Arizona’s two-player return clearly surpassed the Giants’ backup-quarterback value.

The Giants sent picks 116 and 187 to Arizona to move up six spots in the 2013 fourth round for quarterback Ryan Nassib. Nassib spent four seasons as Eli Manning's backup but barely played. Arizona selected guard Earl Watford and running back Andre Ellington, who became one of the Cardinals' most productive offensive players for several seasons. The Cardinals clearly received more usable value from the two selections.

Arizona Cardinals received Markus Golden in the 2020-10-23 exchange, while New York Giants received 2021 6th round pick (201st overall, Rodarius Williams). Arizona reacquired Markus Golden and received useful pass-rush production after bringing him back. The Cardinals paid a 2021 sixth-round pick, but Golden’s on-field contribution made the veteran acquisition worthwhile and supports the strongest grade in this wave.

New York acquired Isaiah Simmons from Arizona for a 2024 seventh-round pick after the Cardinals declined his fifth-year option. Simmons played all 17 games for the Giants in 2023, recording 50 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a pick-six, then re-signed for 2024. Arizona used the resulting No. 226 selection on Jaden Davis. The Giants received useful veteran snaps for a minimal draft cost.