The New York Giants could sign an impact wide receiver right now, so what is the issue?
The top story regarding the New York Giants heading into training camp is the health status of Malik Nabers, who tore his ACL last September and still does not appear close to being in game shape.
John Harbaugh also hinted at Nabers potentially sustaining some other damage to the knee, and the former first-round pick underwent a second procedure to remove some scar tissue from the area earlier this offseason.
None of that sounds good, and Nabers' Week 1 status is very much in question.
The Giants have signed multiple veteran wide receivers this offseason, adding Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III, Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster. They also selected Malachi Fields in the NFL Draft.
But if Nabers begins 2026 on the PUP list and/or ends up compromised for most of the campaign, New York's receiving corps will be in some serious trouble.
So why aren't the Giants expressing some urgency by signing one of the veteran wide outs remaining on the open market?
Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen and Deebo Samuel are all available in free agency, and all three players are still very productive. Diggs just had 1,000 yards last season. Allen and Samuel remain very capable ancillary options.
Why were Beckham and Smith-Schuster the play for New York?
New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.Well, is it possible that the Giants really are optimistic that Nabers will be prepared for the season opener?
If New York was sure that the 22-year-old would be sidelined for the first month of the year, you would figure that Harbaugh and Joe Schoen would be more active in trying to find a more adequate option other than what they've already landed.
Diggs would be terrific. Either Allen or Samuel would be fine, too. And any of those three receivers can probably be had on affordable one-year contracts.
Now, is it possible that none of those three would want to play for the Giants? I guess. They're all in their 30s, so perhaps they would prefer to join a team that is ready to contend for a Super Bowl immediately.
But I honestly don't get that vibe from Diggs, who seems like he would simply just want an opportunity to get some targets.
New York would be able to provide him with that, even with a healthy Nabers. Diggs would instantly become Big Blue's No. 2 receiver, and either Mooney or Slayton would slide into the No. 3 role.
The fact that the Giants are being so slack in their urgency to find another pass-catcher could be an indication that Nabers will be just fine.
Or, the G-Men could just be completely missing the boat.
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