For the first time in what feels like forever, the New York Giants are approaching the NFL trade deadline with a yearning to spend recklessly. Sitting at 4-2-1 atop the NFC East, Big Blue has a golden opportunity to take advantage of a division that’s collectively forgotten how to play winning football.
And with the Nov. 10 trade deadline just under one week away, it's all eyes on general manager Joe Schoen to swing for the fences.
And there's definitely reason to believe something big is coming. Head coach John Harbaugh already tried to pry All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons away from the Tennessee Titans, only for the Chicago Bears to ruin the good times with an offer that included two first-round picks. New York has also reportedly expressed interest in other players, with Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor seemingly leading the charge.
Of course, wanting to make a trip to blockbuster and actually having the resources to do so are two very different things. Between limited cap space, a relatively empty draft cupboard, and a handful of players who could potentially be moved, Schoen has quite the game of Deal or No Deal ahead of him.
Here’s a breakdown of what the G-Men are working with ahead of the deadline.
Giants’ trade assets before Nov. 10 trade deadline
- Giants’ available cap space
- Giants’ remaining draft picks
- Players the Giants could trade
- Players the Giants should trade
- Players the Giants could trade for
Giants’ available cap space
According to Over The Cap, Big Blue currently has $6,514,641 in available salary cap space heading into the deadline.
That’s not exactly playing with house money, especially with some of the bigger names reportedly available and carrying hefty contracts. But it doesn’t necessarily prevent the Giants from making a move, either.
The G-Men could still find ways to make the money work through contract adjustments, salary retention, or moving players off their own roster. We're still waiting for the financial fallout from Greg Newsome II's three-year extension signed on Tuesday. Still, with roughly $6.5 million to play with, New York has options.
Giants’ remaining draft picks
Here’s where things get a little interesting. The Giants have already parted ways with several future picks, leaving Big Blue with just five picks in 2027. Consider that a horse-sized pill Harbs will have to swallow, but the draft-pick merchant will have to accept that sometimes you have to give to get.
2027 (five picks):
- Round 1 (own)
- Round 2 (own)
- Round 3 (own)
- Round 6 (own)
- Round 6 (Jaguars)
New York traded its fourth-round pick to Cleveland in the deal to move up for Malachi Fields this past draft, while its fifth-rounder went to Minnesota in the J.J. McCarthy trade. The seventh-round pick was previously sent to Miami in the shocking Darren Waller trade.
2028 (seven picks):
- Round 1 (own)
- Round 2 (own)
- Round 3 (own)
- Round 4 (own)
- Round 5 (own)
- Round 6 (own)
- Round 7 (Chiefs)
The 2028 class gives NY a lot more flexibility, although dipping into those assets means it'll be a future Giants' problem. When in doubt, kick the can down the road.
Harbs has already floated the idea of using 2028 picks, comparing it to putting something on a credit card. Hopefully, Schoen remembers there’s eventually a bill to pay.
Players the Giants could trade
Jameis Winston, QB
With McCarthy taking over under center, Jameis Winston has suddenly become an interesting trade chip.
The 32-year-old has completed 57% of his passes for 957 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions this season. He’s also under contract beyond 2026 after signing a two-year, $13 million extension in September.
Winston isn’t going to bring back a king’s ransom, but quarterback-needy teams could do a whole lot worse than an experienced veteran capable of being a spot starter at the drop of a hat. With Jake Haener also on the roster, New York might be willing to listen if someone comes calling.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE
Kayvon Thibodeaux has been a popular name in trade speculation, and it’s not exactly hard to see why.
The former fifth-overall pick has zero sacks through seven games and is in the final year of his rookie contract. Moving him now could help the Giants recover some much-needed draft capital before potentially losing him for nothing in free agency (barring a compensatory pick from signing elsewhere).
There’s just one pretty massive problem: Brian Burns is out for the season, and Chauncey Golston is on injured reserve, and the pass rush is currently a nightmare.
The G-Men are already thin in the pass-rushing department, which might make a Thibs trade way less appealing than it might have been, say, last offseason. Unless Big Blue gets a godfather offer it can’t refuse, keeping KT around for a potential playoff push probably makes more sense.
Players the Giants should trade
Darnell Mooney, WR
Darnell Mooney arrived in New York on a one-year, $3 million deal (up to $10 million), making him a cheap option for teams looking to add some veteran depth to their receiving corps.
If the Giants aren’t planning to make him a part of the offense down the stretch (nine receptions for 113 yards in seven games suggest they won't), it makes no sense not to see whether someone else would part with a late-round pick for his services.
Tyler Nubin, SAF
Things haven’t exactly gone according to plan for Tyler Nubin since the Giants selected the former Minnesota ballhawk in the second round of the 2024 Draft.
The 25-year-old has struggled in coverage this season, posting a 46.0 Pro Football Focus coverage grade, and his role in the secondary appears to be shrinking, especially after losing his starting job to Jason Pinnock.
There’s still a chance another team believes it can get more out of the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder. If New York can turn a player who’s falling out of favor into another draft pick, it’s definitely worth exploring.
Darius Alexander, DL
Darius Alexander is an interesting case because the irony is that the G-Men desperately need defensive line help, yet the 2025 third-round pick hasn’t done much of anything to establish himself as part of the solution.
After finishing his rookie season on a heater, finishing with 3.5 sacks, Alexander has managed just half a sack through six games this season, and his blatant struggles against the run have severely limited his role.
If the Giants bring in another defensive tackle before the deadline, Alexander could become very replaceable. And if another team still sees upside in the 26-year-old, Alexander is very replaceable. Feels like his time could be more numbered than most.
John Michael Schmitz, C
John Michael Schmitz has gone from New York’s starting center of three years to watching Bryan Hudson steal his job, which is a pretty rough development for a former second-round pick who was supposed to anchor the line for the next decade.
Schmitz did nothing to warrant holding onto the starting spot, posting a dismal 45.7 overall PFF grade, ranking 33rd among 35 qualified centers.
He can still be a useful depth piece, especially for a team that understands health is a premium on the offensive line. But if a center-needy team offers a Day 3 pick, the Giants would be crazy to pass. There’s only so much value in keeping a former starter around if he’s no longer part of the long-term plan.
Players the Giants could trade for
Jonathan Taylor, RB (Colts)
If the Giants want to say "eff it," Taylor is the name to watch. The Colts are reportedly looking for a Christian McCaffrey-type return, which would mean all but depleting the draft-pick war chest for one of the league’s best running backs.
Taylor would hyperdrive New York’s offense, but with only five selections in 2027 and a significant contract to absorb, the price could be a little too rich for Schoen’s blood.
Tyjae Spears, RB (Titans)
For a more affordable option, Tyjae Spears makes plenty of sense. The 25-year-old hasn’t been much of a focal point in Nashville, carrying the ball just 18 times for 66 yards, but he’s still an intriguing receiving threat out of the backfield.
With Cam Skattebo dealing with a hamstring injury and Tyrone Tracy Jr. on IR, Spears could provide some much-needed insurance without requiring the Giants to mortgage their future.
Dalvin Tomlinson, DL (Chargers)
How about a reunion? Dalvin Tomlinson spent the first four seasons of his career with the G-Men, and bringing him back would give New York an experienced, physical presence alongside arguably the biggest surprise of 2026, DJ Reader.
The 32-year-old won't single-handedly fix the defensive front (specifically the run defense), but he could help address one of the team’s biggest weaknesses without costing nearly as much as a bigger name.
Grover Stewart, DL (Colts)
If Big Blue is looking for someone to eat up blocks and make life miserable for opposing running backs (yes and yes), Grover Stewart deserves a look.
The 6-foot-4, 314-pound behemoth has built his career around eating double teams like McDoubles, and with Indianapolis in the middle of a fire sale, there’s reason to believe the Colts could entertain offers.
Stewart would give Harbs another big body to rotate alongside Reader, which is something this defense could desperately use.
Ben Bredeson, OG (Buccaneers)
Giants fans probably remember Ben Bredeson from his three years (2021-2023) in New York, and with the interior offensive line continuing to raise questions, another reunion wouldn’t be the craziest idea.
The 28-year-old has started eight games at left guard for Tampa Bay this season, earning a respectable 60.6 PFF grade.
He’s hardly a guaranteed upgrade, and his three-year, $22 million contract isn't the easiest to digest. But if the Bucs are willing to listen, Bredeson could, at the very least, finally relieve Jon Runyan of his duties at left guard.
A'Shawn Robinson, DL (Buccaneers)
Apparently, I'm playing Pokémon with former Giants players -- gotta catch 'em all. Sue me. Actually, please don't.
A’Shawn Robinson spent the 2023 season in New York before heading to Carolina, and the 11-year vet has continued carving out a role as a physical interior defender.
He wouldn’t be the flashiest trade-deadline addition, but he still might be my favorite potential addition nonetheless. The G-Men need someone who can help keep opposing offensive lines from pushing their defensive tackles into the locker room.
If red-hot Tampa Bay listens in on Robinson calls, he could be exactly the kind of low-cost reinforcement this team needs to be a real playoff contender.
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