It's safe to say the New York Giants are currently in a sticky situation with their running back room. This is a team that was supposed to preach toughness in the ground game, yet they can't even find a true workhorse out of the backfield--which is a development that's even bothering John Harbaugh.
Cam Skattebo has disappointed and is better suited to be a change-of-pace RB2, Tyrone Tracy Jr. still has issues with holding onto the football, and Najee Harris got cut after complaining about the four-man rotation. So the expectation has been that they'll bring in an RB at the trade deadline--but their lack of 2027 draft capital is going to complicate matters.
Although SNY's Connor Hughes doubts that a trade will materialize, that doesn't mean it's not worth discussing. We know Harbaugh and Joe Schoen are willing to get aggressive, so while a Saquon Barkley reunion is off the table, here are three RBs the Giants should target before the deadline.
4 RBs the Giants should keep close tabs on as the trade deadline looms
Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor
On paper, acquiring Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor would be the perfect get for Big Blue. The Colts just fired longtime general manager Chris Ballard and look destined for a fire sale at the deadline, and reports have come out that Taylor could be made available, and teams are interested.
However, with those reports, it would probably take a first-round pick and more to acquire the three-time Pro Bowler, which is worth it for a team that's competing to win now, but the Giants aren't. They're just barely leading the worst division in the NFL, and acquiring JT is a move for immediate contenders.
What exactly would be the point of Harbaugh and Schoen giving up premium draft capital when this team is still a year away? Is it really worth it to keep sinking assets into a roster that won't win you a Super Bowl this year? So you can certainly count on them making the call for one of the best backs in the sport, as the fit would be great, even if it doesn't go anywhere.
Los Angeles Chargers RB Omarion Hampton
My personal favorite RB target for New York is Omarion Hampton of the Los Angeles Chargers. Hampton was drafted in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft by Los Angeles, and showed promise as a rookie, but was held back by injuries and now isn't getting the opportunity he needs to shine since the Chargers are rotating running backs.
He's a powerful runner that just doesn't fit Mike McDaniel's system that's more catered to speed backs, but that's something the G-Men could use. And given that Greg Roman was his OC last year with the Chargers and he'd be going from one Harbaugh to the other, the connections could be too much to ignore.
The Chargers are 0-6 and could be bracing for a sale of their own on Nov. 10, and the 23-year-old could very well be part of it. However, it remains to be seen if they'd actually be willing to move off of him after just 11 starts when all they'd get back is a second or third-rounder. And that would be the same as drafting a back in the mid rounds this spring--yet this option has far more upside.
Stylistically this makes sense, as he can handle a bigger workload and has a three-down skillset, so if Jim Harbaugh would bite on making a deal with his big brother, a scenery change could help Hampton reach his potential.
Arizona Cardinals RB Tyler Allgeier
And if we're talking about a smaller scale, Tyler Allgeier of the Arizona Cardinals could be an option as well. He's a guy the Giants were linked to signing in free agency, and Harbaugh made a run at him before he decided to go to Arizona-- a choice that hasn't exactly gone according to plan for him.
The 26-year-old has spent the season working behind No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love, and even now that Love is hurt, he's still in a complementary role. In Week 5, he was out-produced by Bam Knight, and given that James Conner is about to return, Allgeier could soon be expendable.
He rushed for 1,000 yards as a rookie, so he can make the workload a little easier on Skatt and Tracy.
Tennessee Titans RB Tony Pollard
Last, and most certainly not least, let's see if Schoen can put his Brian Daboll connection to use and swing a trade with the Tennessee Titans. The 1-5 Titans are completely dysfunctional, but another team that has assets to sell at the deadline, and Tony Pollard is likely to be one of the more affordable backs made available for trade.
Pollard has rushed for 1,000+ yards in each of his last four seasons in Dallas and Tennessee, and he can catch passes out of the backfield. This is a back who can receive the majority of the touches for the G-Men and would be a solid complement to Skatt. For an early Day 3 pick, this would be worth it.
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