Giants Could Have Stunning Trade Target Before NFL Deadline

The New York Giants seem fixated on Jonathan Taylor at the moment, and rightfully so.

Taylor is one of the best running backs in football, and the Indianapolis Colts seem primed to move him by the NFL trade deadline.

The Giants are in dire need for backfield help, and with Taylor under contract through 2028, he seems like the perfect addition for a New York squad that appears to be on the cusp of achieving great things.

But what if the asking price for Taylor proves too high? Then what?

The Giants could turn to the Tennessee Titans for options like Tony Pollard or Tyaje Spears, but the problem is both halfbacks are headed toward free agency. Same goes for Breece Hall with the New York Jets.

However, a shocking potential target may suddenly be on the radar for Big Blue: Ashton Jeanty.

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Jeanty with the sixth overall pick of the NFL Draft in 2025, but things have not worked out for the Boise State legend.

After rushing for 975 yards and five touchdowns while averaging just 3.7 yards per carry during his rookie campaign, Jeanty has totaled 337 yards and a score on a meager 3.1 yards per attempt this season.

In fact, Jeanty lost his starting job to rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. ahead of the Raiders' win over the Jets on Sunday. Jeanty logged just two rushing attempts on the day.

Jeanty's benching also had to do with some trash talk he publicized during the week leading up to the game, but it's also patently obvious that Klint Kubiak is not happy with his performance.

Is it possible Las Vegas could consider moving the 22-year-old before Nov. 10?

While the Raiders have not shown any clear indication they are willing to trade their former first-round pick, the fact that he was just usurped by a fourth-round rookie is not a great sign.

Naturally, trade speculation is starting to surge around Jeanty, who nearly broke Barry Sanders' single-season NCAA rushing record two years ago.

So let's say Las Vegas decides to put feelers out on Jeanty over the next week. Do the Giants place a call to the Raiders?

New York is very thin on draft capital, having already traded its fourth, fifth and seventh-round picks this year. Jeanty's value is also very hard to pin down. Given his draft position a year-and-a-half ago, Las Vegas isn't just going to give him away. But good luck convincing any team he is worth a second or third-rounder at this juncture.

Perhaps the Giants could put together an enticing trade packaged centered around future draft capital?

I'm not keen on giving up a ton of assets for Jeanty. He's proven nothing yet, and it's very possible he is a Darren McFadden-style bust. But in the event that Jeanty simply needs a change of scenery, New York could potentially pull off an absolute coup here.

Jeanty is under club control through 2029, so the Giants wouldn't have to worry about losing him to free agency for a long time if he ends up being really good. He also doesn't carry much of a cap hit (his highest is $11.4 million in 2028).

It wouldn't hurt for the G-Men to at least contact the Raiders to see if there could be something there. Would Vegas bite? Probably not, but asking is always wise.