Giants Must Resist Obvious Temptation for This WR Trade

The New York Giants could absolutely stand to add some more depth at wide receiver, as things get pretty murky once you get beyond Malik Nabers.

Malachi Fields did have a breakout performance last Sunday with four catches for 83 yards in a win over the Houston Texans, but otherwise, the Giants' receiver room is very thin.

That's why it will be awfully tempting for New York to swing a trade for a wide out before the Nov. 10 NFL deadline, and one receiver in particular just emerged as a potential target: Josh Downs.

Amid the Indianapolis Colts' fire sale, Downs has informed the Colts that he wants out, which places yet another intriguing playmaker on the trade block.

But the Giants should stay away.

Not because Downs isn't good or wouldn't help the team. Downs would be terrific working out of the slot in New York and would provide quarterback J.J. McCarthy with an excellent security blanket on short and intermediate routes.

Downs is also just 25 years old, making him an ideal candidate to be part of the Giants' accelerating rebuild.

The problem? He is slated to hit free agency at the end of the season, so New York would risk parting with yet even more draft capital for a player who might just walk in March.

If the Giants really want Downs (and he would certainly be a great addition), they could just sign him in free agency.

I would be all for a Downs move if he still had another year on his rookie deal, but the fact that he is an expiring contract should rule him out as a possibility for New York. At least before the trade deadline.

Downs has been a very productive receiver since entering the league in 2023. He caught 68 passes for 771 yards and a couple of touchdowns during his debut campaign. He then followed that up with 72 receptions for 803 yards and five scores in Year 2.

The University of North Carolina product has definitely taken a bit of a step back since then, but it's to no fault of his own.

Downs would likely be far more fruitful in a better offense, so a trip to the Big Apple might do him a world of good.

That's definitely something the Giants should keep in mind come springtime. For now, though, New York should either stay the course or focus on acquiring wide receivers who aren't just months away from free agency.