Giants surprise trade with Cowboys comes with draft pick conditions

The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys agreed to a rare trade involving draft picks and veteran defensive lineman Jordan Phillips.

The initial reports of the deal include the Giants sending Phillips and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

However, the trade isn't as straightforward as a simple swap of a player for a pick. There are conditions to the trade that could negate the entire deal.

If Phillips is on the Cowboys roster for two games this season, the deal is upheld. If Phillips does not reach that requirement, the trade is off, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network .

Essentially, this goes to show how much of an uphill battle Phillips faced in making the Giants' roster at the end of August.

They likely had plans to cut him so it's a wise move to attempt to get something in return. If the Cowboys like him enough, the Giants will move their final pick up in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Giants have a pretty big competition ongoing for the depth roles on the interior defensive line. Phillips was being buried on the depth chart and with the emergence of undrafted rookie Elijah Chatman, the veteran was likely on his way.

Time will tell whether this deal is upheld, but the Giants are hoping Phillips sticks with their biggest rivals for at least two games.

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