The New York Giants are no strangers to offseason turbulence, and this year might be no exception. With assistant general manager Brandon Brown emerging as a finalist for the Las Vegas Raiders’ GM job and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka in the mix for the New Orleans Saints’ head coaching position, the G-Men are bracing for potential departures.
While losing key staff members might normally spell trouble, the situation in New York tells a different story.
Let’s face it—this isn’t the time to panic about staffing changes. The Giants are coming off a brutal 3-14 season, with an offense that could barely move the chains and a front office whose decisions have been under heavy scrutiny. Losing Brown and Kafka might sting in the short term, but the compensatory picks awarded under the NFL’s Rooney Rule could make it worth the pain.
If both leave, the Giants would gain three third-round picks over the next three drafts, giving the team a much-needed boost in the long-term rebuild. Let me say that again. The Giants would receive an additional third-round pick each year for the next three if Brown and Kafka were to sign elsewhere. I'm not rooting for it, you are.
— Anthony Rivardo (@Anthony_Rivardo) January 20, 2025Thanks to the Rooney Rule, the Giants could be rewarded three third-round picks this offseason.
Per the rule, “If a team lost both a coach and personnel member, it would receive a third-round compensatory pick for three years.”
Brandon Brown is a finalist for the Raiders’ GM… pic.twitter.com/8zDUhd3EQg
Future Giants draft capital > questionable leadership
For a franchise in desperate need of fresh talent and new ideas, this could be a rare win. Those comp picks could help rebuild a roster that’s been stuck in neutral, while the departures offer a clean slate for both the front office and the coaching staff. It’s not just addition by subtraction—it’s setting the foundation for a better future.
The Rooney Rule compensatory system isn’t just a formality; it’s a real asset for teams in transition. By losing Brown and Kafka to promotions elsewhere, the Giants could receive three third-round compensatory picks. Considering how vital draft capital is to rebuilding teams, this is a silver lining the Giants can’t ignore.
Think about it: Brown has been part of a front office that’s been mired in controversy and questionable moves, while Kafka oversaw an offense that is borderline inept. Are they truly irreplaceable? Probably not. In fact, their departures might provide the shakeup this team desperately needs.
The reality is the Giants are nowhere close to contention. Their roster is Swiss cheese—has holes at nearly every position, and retaining staff who haven’t produced results doesn’t align with their long-term goals. Adding compensatory picks would give the front office a chance to hit reset, stockpile talent, and refocus on building a sustainable winner.
Just this past draft, the G-Men hit a home run with rookie cornerback standout Dru Phillips. Now imagine adding three more players with that level of impact over the next three years. That kind of opportunity is priceless.
Sure, losing Brown and Kafka might hurt in theory, but it’s time for the Giants to think bigger. Comp picks represent a unique opportunity to turn potential losses into real gains—and in the grand scheme, that’s exactly what this team needs.
