EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe New York Giants are trading offensive lineman Josh Ezeudu to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2028 seventh-round pick, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.Ezeudu was a third-round pick of the Giants in the 2022 NFL draft. He started 10 games at guard and tackle for New York from 2022 to 2024, and spent all of last season on injured reserve.The North Carolina product signed a one-year deal with the Giants this offseason. He spent most of the summer at right tackle before sliding inside to guard recently.For weeks, the Chiefs have had concerns about the depth along the interior of the offensive line behind left guard Kingsley Suamataia and right guard Trey Smith. Before Tuesday's trade, the lone interior backup on the roster with experience was Mike Caliendo, a three-year veteran. When the preseason began, the Chiefs' top backup was Kahlil Benson, the undrafted rookie right tackle from Indiana who started at right guard since Smith was dealing with a hip injury.The Chiefs didn't select any linemen in the draft despite entering with nine selections after trading All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams for a package of four picks. Since the start of training camp, the only other interior lineman who appears to have solidified a spot on the initial 53-man roster is Hunter Nourzad, a second-year player who has been the backup to All-Pro center Creed Humphrey.Ezeudu missed the Giants' past two practices after injuring his leg in Saturday's preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. Giants coach John Harbaugh thought it was minor, and Ezeudu should be back on the field soon and ready for Week 1, a source told ESPN.This is the second offensive lineman the Giants have traded in the past week. They also sent guard Daniel Faalele to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round selection.Harbaugh said Monday that adding picks was a "valuable thing." It is something the Giants are going to continue to try to do."If we could, we'd do it as much as we possibly could," Harbaugh said. "We'd like to take advantage of the opportunities, if they'll come up, as much as we can. We do have some guys. We're kind of deep in a few positions, and maybe that'll happen. It doesn't happen that often, but maybe it will."Ezeudu and Faalele were available because the Giants feel comfortable with their interior offensive line depth. Aaron Stinnie provides them a veteran reserve option while Lucas Patrick and Bryan Hudson have proven to be capable backup center options with potential guard flexibility.ESPN's Nate Taylor contributed to this report.
