EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants waited until they were on the clock Thursday night before executing their most significant draft day trade since they acquired Eli Manning 17 years ago.
They sent their selection at No. 11 in the first round to the Chicago Bears for a package of four picks, including two in the current draft (No. 20 in the first round and No. 164 in the fifth), plus first and fourth-round choices in the 2022 draft. The Giants selected Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney. Chicago moved up to select Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.
"Obviously it was too good an opportunity (to pass up)," general manager Dave Gettleman said. "It added too much value, and we felt very comfortable with where our board was and we felt comfortable with who would be there, who would be available in that slot. So, we made it. We did it. We added a one and a four next year. Another pick for this year and another pick for next year. We were very pleased we were able to make the play."
The key component of the trade for the Giants was the Bears' first-rounder next year.
"It was very important to get the first-round pick next year," Gettleman said. "As I told you guys (reporters) at my pre-draft presser, there's a lot of unknowns here with this group (of players in this draft) and plus a lot of kids went back and took advantage of the NCAA giving them an additional year of eligibility. That obviously played into our thinking."
The trade also enabled the Giants to recoup the fifth-round choice (No. 154) they sent the Jets in 2019 to acquire defensive lineman Leonard Williams. It gives them seven choices in the seven-round draft; one in each of the first five rounds and two in the sixth. They received an extra selection in that round from Arizona in a trade for linebacker Markus Golden. The Giants do not have a seventh-round selection after sending it last year to Denver for cornerback Isaac Yiadom.
For the first time in the nine NFL drafts he has run – five with Carolina and four with the Giants – Gettleman executed a trade to move back…not just in the first round, but in any round.
Gettleman initiated the trade by reaching out to Chicago general manager Ryan Pace.
"What happened was we had called around and … I had spoken to Ryan Pace, and I had heard he was interested in moving up," Gettleman said. "So, I called him. When I spoke to him, he said, 'Yes, we're very interested.' And then the conversations begin.
"I spoke to Ryan today before the draft and I spoke to him again. He called me again somewhere around the seventh pick, somewhere in there, and then we got on the clock and from there, (assistant general manager) Kevin Abrams took over and finished off the trade."
It is widely thought the Giants were interested in Alabama wide receivers Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle and cornerbacks Jayce Horn of South Carolina and Patrick Surtain of Alabama. All were selected in the first 10 picks.
Although it was a surprise each of the four players were taken so early, the Giants are always ready for the unexpected in the draft.
"We had really talked this through, me, Joe (Judge), Chris Mara, Tim McDonnell, Kevin Abrams and Mark Koncz, we had all discussed thoroughly, really looked at our board," Gettleman said of the team's personnel experts. "We had a lengthy meeting on Monday and we followed it up with another meeting on Wednesday and so we really - we knew what we wanted. We knew where we wanted to go, and we knew at which point we would consider a trade back and that's where you get the other piece of it where we're calling teams behind us.
"And then we met again at 6 o'clock tonight to just constantly review and talk it through and it was a great group effort and we all felt very - we all felt very together on the decision. And we made it."
It was the Giants' first such move in the opening round since general manager Ernie Accorsi traded with Pittsburgh 15 years ago. The Giants moved from No. 25 to the 32nd and final choice in the round and added third (No. 96) and fourth-round (No. 129) picks. The Steelers took wide Santonio Holmes and the Giants selected Boston College defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka to close out the first round. With the later round choices they received from Pittsburgh, the Giants selected linebacker Gerris Wilkinson and offensive lineman Guy Whimper.
Of course, Accorsi executed the franchise-changing trade for Manning on April 24, 2004. After the San Diego Chargers selected him first overall, Manning was traded to the Giants for quarterback Philip Rivers (whom the Giants had taken with the fourth pick), the Giants' 2004 third-round pick, and 2005 first and fifth-round selections.
View photos of the 20th overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
WR Kadarius Toney, Florida - Round 1, Pick 20
Kadarius Toney during the Gators' game against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Matt Stamey
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs for a touchdown after a catch during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
during the Gators' 41-15 win against the Michigan Wolverines in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. / photo by Paul Abell via Abell Images for Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Game
Florida WR Kadarius Toney
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney runs a pass pattern against Miami during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs a 27-yard pass reception for a touchdown against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) tries to get past LSU safety JaCoby Stevens (7) and safety Todd Harris Jr. (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) sets up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs a route during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) sets up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) sets up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney scores a touchdown against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) catches a touchdown pass against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs a route in front of Arkansas defensive back LaDarrius Bishop (24) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs a route during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs a 16-yard touchdown against Missouri during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney, right, breaks free after catching a pass in front of Arkansas defensive back Jalen Catalon during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs for yardage against Georgia during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs after a reception before he being stopped by the Missouri defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) makes a move to get around Georgia linebacker Monty Rice (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs for a 16-yard touchdown as he gets past Missouri linebacker Devin Nicholson during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) breaks away from Missouri safety Tyree Gillespie, left, on his way to a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney runs after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) is tackled after a catch by Texas A&M defensive back Demani Richardson (26) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) stretches for more yards as his is tackled by Texas A&M defensive back Keldrick Carper (14) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Texas A&M defensive back Demani Richardson (26) trips up Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs with the ball past Mississippi defensive back Keidron Smith (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) gets past South Carolina defensive back John Dixon (22) for a 57-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, Pool)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney runs after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney, left, runs past Florida State linebacker Leonard Warner IIIduring the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs a route during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs a route during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs past Florida State defensive end Dennis Briggs Jr. (58) and linebacker Adonis Thomas, right, for a long gain during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney, left, tries to escape the grasp of Florida State defensive back Levonta Taylor, back right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney, left, catches a pass as Missouri defensive back DeMarkus Acy (2) and safety Joshuah Bledsoe (18) defend during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Columbia, Mo. Florida won 23-6. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs a route during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney runs against Vanderbilt during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) sets up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney runs against Vanderbilt during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs a route during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs for a touchdown after a catch during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs against Alabama during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore (13) hits Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney runs after a reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) is pushed out of bounds by LSU safety Maurice Hampton Jr. (14) after Toney caught a pass for a 49-yard gain during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) scores a touchdown during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against LSU, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) works against Alabama during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) runs for a touchdown after a catch during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
American Team wide receiver Kadarius Toney of Florida (1) catches a pass during the American team practice for the NCAA college Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
American Team wide receiver Kadarius Toney of Florida (1) runs during the American Team practice for the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala. Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney of Florida (1) during the American team practice for the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney of Florida (1) catches a pass during the American team practice for the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
American Team wide receiver Kadarius Toney of Florida (1) points during the American team practice for the NCAA college Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney of Florida (1) catches a pass during the American team practice for the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney of Florida (1) catches a pass during the American team practice for the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney of Florida (1) catches a pass during the American team practice for the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney participates in a pro day for NFL scouts, Wednesday, Mar. 31, 2021, in Gainesville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney participates in a pro day for NFL scouts, Wednesday, Mar. 31, 2021, in Gainesville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney participates in a pro day for NFL scouts, Wednesday, Mar. 31, 2021, in Gainesville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney participates in a pro day for NFL scouts, Wednesday, Mar. 31, 2021, in Gainesville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney runs the 40-yard dash during a pro day for NFL scouts, Wednesday, Mar. 31, 2021, in Gainesville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney participates in a pro day for NFL scouts, Wednesday, Mar. 31, 2021, in Gainesville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Kadarius Toney - FOOTBALL - Friday, August 21, 2020 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo
during the Gators' game against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Courtney Culbreath
during the Gators' game against the LSU Tigers on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Courtney Culbreath
during the Gators' game against the LSU Tigers on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Courtney Culbreath
during the Gators' game against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Courtney Culbreath
during the Gators' game against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Matt Stamey
during the Gators' game against the Missouri Tigers on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Courtney Culbreath
during the Gators' game against the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss. / UAA Communications photo by Courtney Culbreath
Kadarius Toney during the Gators' game against the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Hannah White
during the Gators' game against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Adler Garfield
during the Gators' game against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Tim Casey
during the Gators' game against the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas / UAA Communications photo by Courtney Culbreath
during the Gators' game against the Missouri Tigers on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Courtney Culbreath
Kadarius Toney - FOOTBALL - Friday, August 21, 2020 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo
during the Gators' game against the UT Martin Skyhawks on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Adler Garfield
