The New York Giants appear likely to be trade deadline buyers this season, with their eyes set on help along the defensive front and also at running back.
While John Harbaugh and the Giants might be making a push to acquire someone like Jonathan Taylor, they could also look to trade from their NFL roster if the right trade presents itself. For the Giants, that could come in their wide receiver room.
ESPN insider Dan Graziano highlighted how the rookie breakout from Malachi Fields has potentially opened the door for $3 million veteran WR Darnell Mooney to become a realistic trade candidate this season.
Darnell Mooney might be a trade candidate for Giants thanks to Malachi Fields
“Who could be on the move? Wide receiver Darnell Mooney,” Graziano writes. “He is a veteran wide receiver who doesn’t make much money on a team with a potentially emerging rookie receiver in Malachi Fields, so it would make sense.”
The Giants’ offense runs through two pass-catchers: Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely. They’re the clear top targets in this offense, but Fields has started to become that No. 3 weapon in the passing attack.
This season, Fields has 16 receptions for 248 yards and one touchdown. His 15.5 yards-per-reception is 17th-best in the NFL. He has looked great so far.
What that means is someone like Mooney, who is 29 years old, a journeyman WR, and only has nine receptions for 113 yards this season, could be a realistic trade candidate.
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Obviously, a hurdle to a trade would be the Giants being willing to trade from their NFL roster when, at 4-2-1, they have a real chance of winning the NFC East.
Part of the issue for the Giants, too, is that Nabers is a bit banged up and has had injury issues in his past. Plus, Charlie Jones isn’t fully healthy either.
With WRs Braxton Berrios, Gunner Olszewski, and Calvin Austin III on injured reserve, the Giants don’t really have good wide receiver depth.
So, ironically enough, the Giants might only trade someone like Mooney if they find a trade for another receiver. Maybe it’s Brian Thomas Jr., or signing a veteran like Brandon Aiyuk.
Mooney is a name to monitor for this year’s trade deadline. He’s not likely to be traded, but if the Giants believe in the depth at WR and that Field’s breakout is legitimate, Mooney might be an expendable trade chip this season.
