The New York Giants just wrapped up a brutal 4-13 season. It’s the kind of record that makes fans want to set their jerseys on fire and makes general managers start looking at real estate in other cities. But Joe Schoen is still here, and the coaching carousel has finally stopped spinning with the massive news of John Harbaugh arriving to take over for Brian Daboll. That hire alone has set the league on fire, sparking a wave of NY Giants trade rumors that feel more like a desperate house cleaning than a simple roster tweak.
Big Blue is at a crossroads. You’ve got a young quarterback in Jaxson Dart who looks like the real deal, a superstar receiver in Malik Nabers who probably deserves a better supporting cast, and a defense that—let’s be honest—was a sieve for most of 2025.
Trading isn't just an option anymore. It's basically a necessity if Harbaugh wants to implement his physical, smash-mouth identity. The whispers around the league are getting louder, and if you're watching the draft board, the Giants holding the No. 5 overall pick makes them a primary target for teams looking to jump up for a signal-caller.
Why the Jalin Hyatt Trade Rumors Won't Go Away
Honestly, Jalin Hyatt has become the poster child for "potential that never quite materialized." He was the 2022 Biletnikoff winner. He had world-class speed. But through 2024 and 2025, he’s barely cracked 100 receiving yards. That’s not a typo. It’s a disaster.
Reports from Last Word On Sports suggest that with Harbaugh now in the building, Hyatt is essentially a man without a country. Harbaugh likes receivers who can block and play a specific, gritty role. Hyatt? He’s a vertical threat who hasn't been threatened by a defender in months because he’s barely on the field.
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The Kansas City Chiefs are a name that keeps popping up. With Rashee Rice facing suspension and Xavier Worthy recovering from surgery, Andy Reid might look at Hyatt as a low-risk project. If any quarterback can fix a broken speedster, it’s Patrick Mahomes. The Steelers and Panthers are also reportedly sniffing around. A Day 3 pick might be all it takes to get this deal done, especially since Hyatt is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Trading the No. 5 Pick: The Schoen Strategy
Joe Schoen has a massive decision to make. Does he stay at five and grab a blue-chip defender like Abdul Carter to pair with Brian Burns? Or does he pull the trigger on a trade-down?
The NY Giants trade rumors regarding the draft are centered on the fact that several teams behind them are desperate for a quarterback. The Raiders (No. 1), Jets (No. 2), and Titans (No. 4) are all in the mix for the top arms. If a guy like Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore is still sitting there at five, the phone in East Rutherford is going to be ringing off the hook.
- Potential Trade Partners: The Minnesota Vikings are always aggressive, and with J.J. McCarthy needing competition or a backup, they could be a wild card.
- The Price Tag: If the Giants move back into the middle of the first round, they’d likely demand a 2027 first-rounder and a couple of Day 2 picks.
- Internal Philosophy: Harbaugh loves building the trenches. If the Giants trade back, expect them to target a massive offensive lineman to protect Jaxson Dart, who took way too many hits in 2025.
Marshall Green from Giants Now has been adamant that the team needs to "solidify the O-line" above all else. You can't have a franchise QB if he's spending half the game on his backside.
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The Kayvon Thibodeaux Question
This one hurts for a lot of fans. Kayvon Thibodeaux was supposed to be the "New York Sack Exchange" reborn. But the production has fallen off a cliff. He went from 11.5 sacks in 2023 to a measly 2.5 in 2025 across ten games.
Dan Duggan of The Athletic recently noted that Thibodeaux is entering a contract year. He’s a solid player, sure, but is he a $25-million-per-year player? Probably not. If the Giants don't see a long-term extension happening at a "team-friendly" rate, they might decide to move him while he still has some value.
Imagine a scenario where a contending team with a late first-round pick needs one more pass rusher to get over the hump. The Giants could potentially flip Kayvon for a high draft pick and use that capital to fix their secondary, which was—frankly—offensive to watch last season. Deonte Banks, despite his All-Pro votes as a returner, has been a liability in coverage. The Giants need a complete overhaul in the back end.
What Happened to the Daniel Jones Trade Rumors?
If you were hoping for a massive return for Daniel Jones, I’ve got bad news. That ship has sailed, hit an iceberg, and is currently at the bottom of the ocean.
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Jones found "new life" in Indianapolis this past year, leading the Colts to an 8-2 record before a brutal Achilles tear ended his season. He’s now a free agent, and while there were rumors about the Giants' "overvaluation" of him in the past, he’s no longer Big Blue's problem to trade.
The interesting part? The Colts might re-sign him even with the injury because they traded their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks for Sauce Gardner. They have no ammo to move up for a rookie, so a hobbled Daniel Jones might be their best bet. It’s a strange world.
Roster Cuts and "Quiet" Departures
Before the trades happen, the Giants have to clear some room. We’re looking at several veterans who are likely on their way out to make these moves possible.
- Evan Neal: He didn't play a single snap in 2025 and was a healthy scratch. He’s done.
- Russell Wilson: The "Russ Bus" ran out of gas after three games. He's an impending free agent and won't be back.
- Graham Gano: Cutting the 38-year-old kicker saves $4.5 million in cap space. Ben Sauls is the future there.
- Joshua Ezeudu: Injuries have ruined his tenure. Expect him to hit free agency without an offer.
Actionable Insights for Giants Fans
If you're trying to keep track of all the moving parts, focus on these three things over the next month. They'll tell you exactly what Joe Schoen and John Harbaugh are planning for the 2026 season.
- Watch the Senior Bowl and Combine: If the Giants are heavily scouting interior offensive linemen and cornerbacks, a trade-down from No. 5 becomes much more likely.
- Monitor Jalin Hyatt's Socials: It sounds silly, but players often telegraph moves. If he’s not in East Rutherford for voluntary workouts, a trade is imminent.
- The Harbaugh Effect: Look for "Ravens-style" players. Harbaugh will want to trade for or sign guys who are physical and high-character. If a player doesn't fit that mold (like Hyatt or maybe even Thibodeaux), they are likely on the block.
The 2026 offseason is going to be a wild ride. The Giants have the QB, they have the HC, and now they have the draft capital to actually fix this thing. It's just a matter of who's going to be left standing when the dust settles.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on the compensatory pick announcements in late February. Those extra mid-round picks often provide the "grease" for larger trades involving players like Hyatt or Thibodeaux. If the Giants end up with more picks than roster spots, expect a flurry of activity right before the draft kicks off in Pittsburgh.