NFL: Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings
Oct 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) practices before the game against the against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The New York Giants appear to have two clear focuses ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10, and one of them is Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Big Blue is looking to buy at the deadline with the team sitting in first place in the NFC East while the rest of the division is struggling.
When it comes to what the Giants are looking for, Rapoport reports that they are very much interested in Taylor, but they also want to add a defensive lineman.
Taking it a step further, Rapoport labels the Giants are one of the more aggressive teams in the Taylor hunt.
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“Jonathan Taylor would make a lot of sense (for the Giants),” Rapoport said. “They are among the more aggressive teams there.”
“The other thing that the Giants have talked about adding is a defensive lineman,” Rapoport reported before noting that New York was after Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne before he broke his foot.
“I expect them to be aggressive at those two spots,” Rapoport said of running back and defensive tackle.
Why Giants need RB, D-lineman
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) loses his balance but continues running with the ball, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) loses his balance but continues running with the ball, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in East Rutherford. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
After trading away Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals during the offseason, the Giants never really replaced him.
DJ Reader has played well, but Shelby Harris has been a liability and the Giants are giving up the seventh-most rushing yards per game and have gotten just 1.5 sacks from interior linemen this season.
At running back, Cam Skattebo is not having the sophomore campaign New York hoped he would, Tyrone Tracy is on injured reserve and Devin Singletary is just an OK backup.
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New York could really use a game-changing player in the backfield to take pressure off J.J. McCarthy and the passing attack.
Taylor is one of the very best running backs in the NFL and is exactly the kind of impact player Big Blue could use at the running back position.
The roadblock for a Jonathan Taylor trade
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in Week 6.
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in Week 6. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
When it comes to cost, it’s estimated that the Colts could look for a Christian McCaffrey type package, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport reported over the weekend.
The 2022 McCaffrey trade saw the San Francisco 49ers send the Carolina Panthers second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-round picks for the elite running back.
It remains to be seen if the Colts will get that much, but the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy reported that whatever Indy is looking for is currently too high for the Giants.
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“Jonathan Taylor is Giants No. 1 choice. But my understanding is the asking price is high so they will do due diligence on other offensive playmakers available on the trade market,” Dunleavy wrote.
We wouldn’t be too confident in the Giants acquiring Taylor.
After all, New York is only in Year 1 of the John Harbaugh era and early in the roster building process and may not be keen on giving up significant draft capital at this stage.