Could DJ Moore Be the Giants' Answer at WR2? Why This Offseason Trade Could Make Sense
The New York Giants are staring at a unique opportunity this offseason - one shaped not just by their own roster needs, but by a league-wide market that’s thinner than usual. With free agency and the draft both viewed by league insiders as underwhelming, trade talks are expected to heat up. And for general manager Joe Schoen and new head coach John Harbaugh, that could mean a chance to buy low on a proven playmaker.
One name to watch? DJ Moore.
The Chicago Bears wideout is reportedly a trade candidate this offseason, and for a Giants team that may be in the market for a new WR2, Moore checks a lot of boxes - especially if Wan’Dale Robinson walks in free agency.
Why DJ Moore Makes Sense for the Giants
Let’s start with the context. Robinson is coming off a breakout season with over 1,000 receiving yards and is expected to command a hefty payday - potentially around $20 million per year. If the Giants can’t or don’t match that, they’ll be looking for a new complement to Malik Nabers, who’s recovering from a season-ending ACL injury.
Enter DJ Moore, a veteran with a strong track record and the kind of physical, boundary-winning skill set that could pair beautifully with Nabers. While Moore’s 2025 campaign in Chicago was statistically his least productive - 682 yards on 50 catches - the numbers don’t tell the full story.
He still found the end zone six times and started all 17 games, marking his fifth straight season of full availability. That kind of durability and red-zone production matters, especially for a Giants offense looking to support second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart.
And it’s not like Moore forgot how to play. His 2023 season?
96 catches, 1,364 yards, and 8 touchdowns. He’s proven he can be a high-volume target when given the opportunity.
In New York, he wouldn’t need to be the WR1 - but he could be a reliable safety valve and a matchup problem for opposing defenses.
A Veteran Presence in a Thin Market
This year’s free-agent class at wide receiver isn’t exactly deep, and the draft - while always full of potential - may not offer immediate-impact players beyond the top tier. The Giants, holding the No. 5 overall pick, might prefer to use that selection on a foundational piece elsewhere - perhaps a defensive difference-maker or a long-term answer on the offensive line.
That makes a trade for Moore all the more intriguing. He offers a Week 1-ready solution, which is especially important if Nabers isn’t fully healthy by the start of the season. Moore gives the Giants a known quantity - a veteran who’s been productive in multiple systems and can help take pressure off a young quarterback and a recovering star wideout.
Why Moore Might Be Available - and Affordable
So why would the Bears move on from Moore? It comes down to roster construction and cap management.
Chicago has two young receivers in Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III who combined for over 1,300 yards in 2025 - and both are on rookie contracts. That gives GM Ryan Poles flexibility, and Moore’s $28.5 million cap hit in 2026 is a big number to carry for a team looking to retool its defense.
Trading Moore would save Chicago $12 million in cap space, and with younger, cheaper options already producing, it’s a logical move.
For the Giants, that price tag is steep - but manageable with some creative accounting. A trade-and-restructure deal could bring Moore’s 2026 cap hit down to $6-8 million, with the bulk of the money pushed into 2027 and 2028. New York is projected to have over $128 million in cap space in those years, giving them the flexibility to make a move like this without jeopardizing their long-term plans.
A Low-Risk, High-Reward Move
This would be far from the first time Joe Schoen pulled off a savvy veteran acquisition. Think back to the Darren Waller trade - a calculated swing on a proven player who came at a discounted price due to age, injury, or cap considerations.
Moore fits a similar mold. He’s not a reclamation project, but he is coming off a down year in a crowded receiver room. That could lower his trade value just enough for the Giants to pounce.
More importantly, he fits the identity Harbaugh is likely to bring to this team: tough, reliable, and experienced. Moore’s physicality and route-running would give Dart a dependable target on the outside, while also opening things up for Nabers to stretch the field once he’s back to full speed.
The Bottom Line
In a market where top-tier receivers are scarce and rookie production is never guaranteed, DJ Moore offers the Giants a rare blend of upside and floor. He’s a proven vet who can step in and contribute right away, and his presence would give New York flexibility - both in how they build their offense and how they approach the draft.
If Wan’Dale Robinson signs elsewhere, Moore becomes more than just an option - he becomes a potential priority. And in a year where the margins matter more than ever, that kind of move could be the difference between another rebuilding season and a legitimate push in the NFC East.