Giants trade-deadline decision on homegrown stars could haunt them

A decision that the Giants made just after Halloween could haunt their plans just after St.Patrick’s Day.The Giants held firm on their asking prices for receiver Darius Slayton and edge rusher Azeez Ojulari on Nov.

5 and opted not to just take the best offers available at the NFL trade deadline.Now, both players will become free agents March 10, with no promise of returning, as the Giants need to upgrade many starters with an estimated $40 million in salary cap space.“My main priority is just being an integral part of whatever offense I’m [in],” Slayton said as the season wrapped up.

“I think I’ve shown that I’m a good football player.I’ve shown that I’m a positive impact in whatever offense I’m a part of.

My primary goal is to get somewhere, or be a part of an offense, where I have a chance to impact the game every Sunday.”From the point at which the Giants decided against trading either homegrown contributor, Slayton made seven catches for 104 yards and a touchdown in seven games for a lifeless offense; Ojulari recorded four tackles (no sacks) in two games before finishing the season on injured reserve (toe); and the Giants went 1-7.“I’m excited,” Ojulari said of his first venture into free agency.“Right now, I’m where my feet are.

No rush to it.You never know if it’s here, whatever.

Whatever the best situation is that I can help the team win, come in and contribute.Play.”The Giants would have considered acquiring a fourth-round pick for Ojulari, who was in the middle of one of the best stretches of his four-year career with five sacks in three games as a fill-in starter for the injured Kayvon Thibodeaux.

But the market to rent edge rushers was set at about a sixth-rounder.Slayton likely would’ve brought back similar value to the fifth-rounder that the Jets received from the Steelers for Mike Williams, but Slayton’s locker room leadership and ability to simplify head coach Brian Daboll’s complex offense for younger r...