The Giants are sitting in a strange but enviable spot heading into Week 9: still No. 1 in the NFC East at 6-2, and still looking for ways to sharpen a roster that has already produced plenty under John Harbaugh.
That success has come without franchise quarterback Jaxson Dart, who has been out with a season-ending injury. Even so, Harbaugh has kept New York rolling, and the next move could come before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano recently laid out some of the latest buzz around the league, and the Giants came up as a team worth watching. Fowler said New York has been tied to Jonathan Taylor and other running backs, but he pointed to a different area as the more likely target.
"Could that home be New York? While the Giants have been linked to (Jonathan) Taylor and other running backs, defensive tackle might be the spot where they look to add," he states.
Fowler also reported that the Giants have already checked on Jeffery Simmons more than once, only to be turned away by Tennessee. Another name on their radar is Tampa Bay defensive tackle Vita Vea, though Fowler noted, "(The Bucs are not expected to move him.)"
He closed that thought with a clear expectation for New York’s deadline approach: "It would be a mild surprise if New York doesn't walk away with some help up front."
So while nothing is locked in yet, the Giants appear to be in the mix for help before Nov. 10, with Harbaugh and company potentially looking to reinforce the front.
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Isaiah Likely Has A Big Eagles Opportunity While Giants Weigh A Change
Isaiah Likelys first outing with J.J. McCarthy under center for the Giants was a quiet one, as he caught two of four targets for 12 yards and didnt get into the end zone. Still, the setup for the next game looks more favorable. New York is favored against the Eagles, and Philadelphias defense has had trouble with slot receivers, which could give Likely a cleaner path to a bigger role if the passing game finds a rhythm.
The wrinkle is that the Giants are also looking at ways to reshape the offense, and that could affect how much they lean on Likely going forward. If the roster changes they are considering come together, the attack could look different in a hurry, leaving his usage in a less certain place even as this matchup offers a chance to build on a slow start. [Read more 🡒]
Theo Johnson Has A Giants Problem He Cant Ignore
The Giants have a tight end setup that already feels a little unusual, with Isaiah Likely being used mostly as a slot receiver while Theo Johnson handles the more traditional in-line role. For now, Johnson remains the player most tied to that job, but his uneven production and blocking issues have left the team with a question it cannot really ignore as it looks ahead.
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports recently pointed to LSU tight end Trey'Dez Green as a possible future answer if Johnson does not take a clear step forward. Green brings the kind of size, speed and contested-catch ability that can make a passing game more dangerous, though he would still need to sharpen his run-blocking to fit what the Giants want from the position. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Are Suddenly Linked To A Pricey Fix For Two Roster Holes
The Giants are heading into Week 9 against the Eagles with more than one hole to patch, and the injury picture has only sharpened the urgency. Jaxson Dart and Brian Burns are among the key names on the list, leaving the team to navigate a stretch where depth, health and pass-rush help all matter at once.
That backdrop is why the chatter around a possible Khalil Mack pursuit has started to pick up. The veteran linebacker would fit the kind of immediate, proven fix teams look for when they are trying to stabilize a defense in-season, but for now it remains only speculation, with no official deal in place as the Giants keep sorting through their own roster issues. [Read more 🡒]