The New York Giants have been searching for help at wide receiver since Malik Nabers went down. General manager Joe Schoen has been scouring the trade market with two weeks until the NFL Trade Deadline, but Big Blue might have just stumbled into the answer to the prayers of the fanbase.
It was reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday afternoon that veteran wideout Tyler Lockett requested and was granted his release from the Tennessee Titans due to a lack of playing time, which opens the door for the G-Men to offer the veteran receiver a premier role playing with Jaxson Dart.
As sad as it sounds, Lockett would serve as an upgrade for New York's depleted receiver room. With Nabers and Darius Slayton sidelined, they could use a veteran presence and downfield threat alongside Wan'Dale Robinson, and the 33-year-old would provide exactly that, especially since Jalin Hyatt has continued to disappoint.
Tyler Lockett is an available receiver the Giants should consider looking into
He might have lost a step with age, but he remains semi-productive, all things considered. Lockett served as the WR3 behind DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the Seahawks last year, but still mustered 600 receiving yards, marking the first season since 2017 he amassed under 600 yards.
In Tennessee, the Kansas State product quickly fell out of favor, catching just 10 passes for 70 yards in just one start. No. 1 pick Cam Ward developed fast connections with rookies Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor, and Van Jefferson somehow managed to supplant him as the WR3.
In New York, the receiver room is being held together by duct tape. Robinson, Slayton, and Hyatt are complemented by Beaux Collins, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, and return man Gunner Olszewski, which is far from promising. Dart threw three touchdowns in Week 7, and none were caught by wide receivers.
Something worth noting is that with the G-Men sitting at 2-5, parting with premium draft capital to add to the receiver room is textbook mismanagement, especially when Jordyn Tyson and Carnell Tate are legitimate first-round possibilities for the Giants in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Russell Wilson compared Hyatt to Lockett earlier this offseason, and the three-time All-Pro could provide the young receiver the mentorship he's needed to flip the script on an otherwise underwhelming three seasons. Not to mention, Wilson and Lockett are close friends from their time in Seattle, which could sway Lockett to the Big Apple, even if Russ isn't QB1.
It's no certainty since it's unlikely that he would want to join another rebuilding team, but Schoen has options on the table to address a glaring need.