The New York Giants are widely thought to be in hot pursuit of Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor, hoping to get a deal done before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. Perhaps that deal would also bring the Giants veteran defensive tackle Grover Stewart.
What, though, if that doesn’t materialize? Could the Giants turn to the crosstown New York Jets for the big-time running back Giants head coach John Harbaugh has clearly sought since taking the job?
The Jets say they are not interested in trading
Breece Hall.
“We’re in the business of keeping good players and he’s one of our better players. So, Breece will still be here,” said Jets head coach Aaron Glenn.
Still, plans change. The Tennessee Titans were adamant they were not trading star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons — until the Chicago Bears made them an offer they could not refuse.
Connor Hughes, who covers both the Jets and Giants for SNY TV, told me the Jets would have to be “blown away” by an offer to trade the 25-year-old Hall, a 2022 second-round pick.
Hughes told me that the inclusion of a second-round pick in any trade package would likely cause the Jets “have a discussion about” moving Hall.
Why it would work
Hall doesn’t have the resume of Taylor, Saquon Barkley, or Derrick Henry. He has just one 1,000-yard season in four full years. Perhaps, though, that can be explained at least in part by the Jets going 24-52 during Hall’s tenure. You can’t run the ball when you are always chasing.
The good part of that from an acquiring team’s perspective is that Hall has just 1,004 touches in the NFL and should have a lot of mileage remaining.
The Athletic lists Hall as its No. 7 potential trade candidate, and the best potentially available back after Taylor.
Harbaugh said this week that the Giants need to keep both the short- and long-term in mind with limited draft capital to deal from. At 25 and signed through 2028, Hall would do that.
Why it wouldn’t work
If it would take a first-round pick to acquire Hall, that is probably a bridge too far for the Giants. The other factor is health. Hall is expected back this week, but has missed five weeks with a right quad injury. The Giants would need to be sure Hall is ready to help them right away.
