Big Blue View
The New York Giants confirmed the devastating news of Malik Nabers’ torn ACL on Monday. Nabers had 18 catches for 271 yards with two touchdowns this season, while drawing primary attention from every defense the Giants played this season. The loss is immeasurable.
The Giants’ wide receiver room consists of Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Beaux Collins, and Gunner Olszewski. Hyatt’s been M.I.A. since his rookie season, and it doesn’t appear like the Giants were eager to give him opportunities. Collins intrigued as a UDFA from Notre Dame during training camp and preseason, but a young, developing player. Olszewski is a veteran special teams asset who played well in the Wan’Dale Robinson role through the preseason.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and Dalen Cambre are all on the practice squad. Humphrey may receive a practice squad call-up, for he displayed a rapport with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart through training camp with the second team; Humphrey also projects more as an outside receiver than many of the other Giants currently on the roster.
It’s safe to say the Giants are scouring available free agents and practice squad players. Free agent names like Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor have been tossed around on social media. Trade targets, though, are a bit more complex to acquire, and the Giants are already down a 2026 third-round selection. The injury to Tyreek Hill may force other teams to be active in the wide receiver trade market as well.
New York isn’t exactly in a position to trade future assets away out of desperation, especially with the receiver market inflation caused by the Denver Broncos’ trade of DeVaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints (2026 fourth-round and 2027 seventh-round picks). I also don’t believe Montrell Washington is currently on a practice squad, so he could be a player to bring back into the building. With that in mind, here are three possible trade candidates for the Giants to explore:
Head coach Brian Daboll knows Diggs well from their time together in Buffalo, which means Diggs is familiar with the offense. Daboll’s offense is complex to understand, especially without an install period in the middle of the season, so familiarity would lower hurdles. Diggs turns 32 years old in November.
Drake Maye has targeted Diggs 22 times, and the veteran has caught 19 of those passes for 213 yards. Diggs has caught 86.4% of his passes with an 11.2 yards per catch average. His aDot is 8.8 yards, and he’s secured all three of his contested catches this season. His top speed is 18.2 MPH this season.
Diggs has a 56.7% wide snap rate, and his snaps have increased each week (41%, 52%, 53%, 63%). Diggs tore his ACL last October with the Houston Texans. He’s rebounded well so far this season. The Patriots have a lot of young receivers; would they be willing to part ways with their newly-acquired veteran to open up more snap opportunities for their younger players?
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