The Giants traded up six spots in the 2013 fourth round for…
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.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 2013 4th round pick (116th overall, Earl Watford )
- pick 2013 6th round pick (187th overall, Andre Ellington )
New York Giants Received
- pick 2013 4th round pick (110th overall, Ryan Nassib )
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Ryan Nassib had slipped farther than many pre-draft projections expected, and the Giants decided to move from No. 116 to No. 110 to secure him. Arizona accepted New York’s fourth-rounder plus No. 187 in the sixth. The Cardinals therefore exchanged one selection for two while moving down only six spots.
What Each Side Received
New York got Nassib, who spent four seasons behind Eli Manning and served as a developmental backup. Arizona selected offensive lineman Earl Watford at No. 116 and running back Andre Ellington at No. 187. Watford supplied depth and spot starts, while Ellington quickly became the most productive player in the exchange.
How the Return Aged
Ellington produced 652 rushing yards as a rookie and then handled a much larger workload in 2014, adding substantial receiving value out of the backfield. Injuries later reduced his role, but Arizona still received multiple seasons of useful offense from a sixth-round pick. Nassib attempted only a small number of regular-season passes for the Giants and never seriously displaced Manning.
Why the Margin Matters
The Giants’ logic was understandable because quarterback value can justify a modest move up. The problem is that the upside never materialized. Arizona received two roster contributors without sacrificing much draft position, and Ellington alone delivered more game impact than New York received from Nassib.
Final Verdict
Arizona Cardinals Win. Arizona earns a B+ for converting the move down into two contributors, including a productive offensive weapon. New York receives a C- because Nassib provided backup insurance but little meaningful on-field value after the Giants spent an extra pick to secure him.