Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas
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Tiki Barber open to the idea of the Giants trading for WR Brian Thomas Jr.
In the midst of what has been a busy start to free agency for the New York Giants, potential trade targets have also started to emerge. Following some recent developments, one franchise legend is all for the idea of the front office adding another Pro-Bowler to the offense.
On March 9th, insider Connor Hughes mentioned Brian Thomas Jr. as a player New York could possibly go after in the trade market. A day later, former Giants running back Tiki Barber appeared on WFAN Sports Radio to give his thoughts on the move. Though there are some causes for concern regarding his health, he thinks adding a talent like Thomas would be an upgrade to the team’s receiver corps.
“That sounds interesting to me,” Barber said of the Giants pursuing Thomas. “You bring Malik Nabers back with his college teammate. Brian Thomas is a really good wide receiver. He’s had injury issues, so that’s the one thing you worry about.”
Thomas shined as a rookie for the Jacksonville Jaguars, notching over 1,200 yards and earning Pro-Bowl honors. However, the 23-year-old went through a bit of a sophomore slump in 2025. Appearing in 14 games, he finished his second NFL campaign with 707 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The Giants Have a Decent Hole to Fill in Their Wide Receiver Corps
Aside from his upside as just a third-year player, there is another notable reason the Giants could look into a Thomas trade. That being that they have a notable void to fill in their offense.
Amid their flurry of signings to kick off free agency, the Giants saw one key player depart for a new team. That being wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. After having a career year in 2025, he inked a four-year deal with the Tennessee Titans worth up to $78 million.
Robinson was a promising homegrown talent for the Giants, steadily improving each year since being drafted in the second round back in 2022. He had his best campaign to date last season, breaking the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his pro career. Robinson will now look to keep trending upwards in his new situation, where he’ll be catching passes from former No. 1 pick Cam Ward.
Giants Bring Back Pair of Familiar Faces to Maintain Depth at Wide Receiver
In the midst of tinkering with their roster, the Giants made sure to secure some kind of depth at wide receiver after Robinson’s departure. Among their first handful of moves this week was bringing back two familiar faces.
Before free agency officially got underway, the Giants worked out a one-year deal with wideout Gunner Olszewski. The 29-year-old had stints in New England and Pittsburgh before landing in New York last season. He’d go on to appear in 16 games in 2025, where he would record 145 yards and one touchdown.
On Monday, the Giants then brought back another receiver fans and the organization know well. That being Isaiah Hodgins. Similar to Olszewski, he secured a one-year contract following a modest 2026 campaign.
While New York already has a pair of component wide receivers in Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton, they’ll want to give Jaxson Dart as many dynamic weapons as possible as he prepares for his first full season starting under center.