There is a lot of reason to be optimistic about the 2026 version of the New York Giants. The John Harbaugh era kicks off by bringing plenty of hope, but there is one position that fans still have a hard time being hopeful about.
Wide receiver Malik Nabers has been working his way back from a torn ACL and, over the past few weeks, he's been seen struggling with basic walking and jogging. Because of the difficulty he's shown, it's given Giants fans reason to pause and worry.
For Jaxson Dart and this passing attack to really take off in the absence of Nabers, at least to begin the season, the Giants need to quit messing around. It is finally time to make a trade, and for a player who's been among the hottest trade candidates as of late.
It is time for the Giants to bring in New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.
The Giants need to swing a trade for Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte
We've covered this idea as recently as a few weeks back, but now that the Patriots have made the A.J. Brown trade everybody knew was coming, it's officially "go time" for New England in swinging another trade.
The Patriots' likely trade candidates are both Boutte and/or Demario "Pop" Douglas, and one of them is sure to be moved. The depth chart doesn't have enough room for everyone in that room, currently.
During this same time period that the Giants have seen Nabers' slow recovery in question, they have gone out and signed a trio of veteran wide receivers in Odell Beckham Jr., JuJu Smith Schuster and Braxton Berrios.
Of course, the Beckham signing comes with a lot of layers and nostalgia for Giants fans. But, at the end of the day, the three of these players aren't going to make much of a difference.
Boutte, meanwhile, has shown flashes and an ability to be a true threat on the outside. At one point during his time at LSU, Boutte was once viewed as a potential Day 2 pick before ultimately sliding and being taken in the sixth round by the Patriots in 2023.
Now in the final year of his rookie deal, Boutte could have an opportunity to really solidify his value going into his first free agency. In New York, he'd have every opportunity to be one of Dart's top targets, should the Giants go get him.
Boutte wouldn't cost a whole lot, either, as the Giants could very likely get him for a Day 3 pick.
There is no question Boutte would land ahead of Beckham, Smith-Schuster and Berrios on the depth chart. Not to mention, he'd command targets even ahead of rookie Malachi Fields.
Darnell Mooney, Darius Slayton and Calvin Austin are here, too, obviously. But, Boutte's biggest competition for targets might end up being Slayton, who plays a similar outside type of role.
Over the last two seasons in a limited role with the Patriots, Boutte has amassed 76 receptions for 1,140 yards and nine touchdowns.
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