Story by
Darnell Mooney Trade Could Help Giants Restock Thin 2027 Draft Haul
- Story by
- Darnell Mooney Trade Could Help Giants Restock Thin 2027 Draft Haul
The New York Giants are expected to be buyers at next week's trade deadline, but they could also recoup some valuable draft capital by trading Darnell Mooney.
Mooney was floated as a trade candidate by ESPN's Dan Graziano , who singled out the first-year Giants wideout as the team's top trade candidate.
Advertisement
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, and the Giants are being named as a potential landing spot for both defensive tackles and Indianapolis Colts superstar running back Jonathan Taylor.
But the Giants currently only have five picks at the 2027 NFL draft. They traded their fourth-round pick to move up and pick wide receiver Malachi Fields, offloaded their fifth-round pick for quarterback J.J. McCarthy and dealt their seventh-round selection and tight end Darren Waller away to Miami last year.
Darnell Mooney Named the Giants' Top Trade Candidate
Mooney was brought in to complement No. 1 wide receiver Malik Nabers and be a veteran presence until Fields took off. But he hasn't needed to be either so far, since tight end Isaiah Likely has emerged as the second option first for Jaxson Dart then for Jameis Winston and now McCarthy.
Advertisement
Mooney has become a nonfactor for the Giants offense. He only has nine receptions for 113 yards and hasn't scored a touchdown and is on pace for 22 catches and just 274 yards.
Add to the fact Mooney is on a buy-low, one-year contract, and he is a candidate to be dealt.
"He is a veteran wide receiver who doesn't make much money on a team with a potentially emerging rookie receiver in Malachi Fields," Graziano wrote "[A trade] would make sense."
Advertisement
What Could the Giants Get in a Trade for Darnell Mooney?
What the Giants recoup for Mooney depends on how creative general manager Joe Schoen wants to be or how big of a deal he and coach John Harbaugh are looking to make.
For instance, Mooney could be used as a trade chip in a blockbuster-style deal with the Colts for any two of Taylor, Josh Downs and Grover Stewart.
But the more likely outcome is Mooney going somewhere like the receiver-starved Kansas City Chiefs for a Day 3 draft pick. The Giants already have two sixth-round picks but would gladly take a third for the veteran who is just two years removed from a 992-yard season in Atlanta.
Advertisement
Adding a late-round pick could further bolster their chances of landing a defensive lineman who can help their 26th-ranked run defense.
More on the New York Giants
This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
