The New York Giants are likely living up their mini bye week. Big Blue is sitting pretty after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday night and watching the Dallas Cowboys’ defense fail to fight their way out of a wet paper bag, falling to the Carolina Panthers. Life is good.
But it’s still not perfect... at least, not currently. Superstar receiver Malik Nabers is out for the season with a torn ACL, while Darius Slayton is battling a nagging hamstring injury. So, to say the cupboard is a bit barren for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart would be a horrific understatement.
According to some of the NFL’s finest insiders, assistance could be on the way. The trade deadline is right around the corner, but no one has to remind Giants general manager Joe Schoen. Per Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, the G-Men have been picking up the phone, sniffing around for potential wide receiver upgrades to help Big Blue down the stretch.
Giants exploring WR market with trade deadline approaching
The G-Men are throwing out — and winning games with — Wan’Dale Robinson, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Jalin Hyatt, and Beaux Collins. It’s equally as sad as it is impressive. However, it’s unlikely their recent success is sustainable with this core. Per Rapoport and Garafolo, help could be on the way:
"The Giants have called teams for receiver help after losing Malik Nabers to a season-ending knee injury, but as always at this time of year, teams are hesitant to part with good, contributing players."Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo
Firstly, this is a great sign for Giants fans. The fact that this team isn’t sitting on its hands, waiting for internal guys to magically figure things out, is a great sign that complacency has no place here. That’s a subtle indication of organizational competence, which is refreshing after... you know, only the past decade-plus.
Secondly, duh. Everyone and their mother understood Big Blue’s receiving room is WR Lite. If head coach Brian Daboll wants to properly develop his rookie quarterback, getting him adequate help would go a long way.
As for who could be of interest, ESPN’s Adam Schefter listed a few players whose names could be in the rumor mill before the November 4 deadline:
- Chris Olave - Saints
- Rashid Shaheed - Saints
- Jakobi Meyers - Raiders
- Allen Lazard - Jets
- Tyler Lockett - Titans
- Brandin Cooks - Saints
Aside from Olave, those might not be the sexiest names, but they could bring a bit more juice than, say, Hyatt or Collins. What New York’s front office would be willing to pony up, in terms of capital, is the question.
Related: 7 receivers Giants could target after Malik Nabers’ absence turned ugly fast
The Giants sit dead last in available cap space, making it nearly impossible to swing for the fences with a big name anyway. Of course, there are other options. Steelers practice squad receiver and former Giant Isaiah Hodgins is an option. Recently released former 18th-overall pick Treylon Burks is ready to go — although he comes with massive red flags. Even an Odell Beckham Jr. reunion could be on the table, but his six-game PED suspension severely limits his availability for the now.
It’ll be interesting to see, but one thing’s for certain: The G-Men are going out swinging. It’s not every day you see a 2-4 team acting like more of a buyer than a seller, but when the rookie quarterback wins two out of his first three starts, the conversation changes. Go get a guy and gas it up.