Way back in October, just ahead of the 2020 NFL trade deadline, the New York Giants were involved in some trade rumors. According to Jordan Raanan, the New York Giants reached out to the Detroit Lions, inquiring about a potential trade for wide receiver Kenny Golladay.
Of course, no trade was made, which was likely a good thing for the Giants, as Golladay went on to miss significant time over the last half of the 2020 regular season. Now, entering the 2021 offseason, general manager Dave Gettleman and co-owner John Mara have promised to add “playmakers” to the meddling Giants’ offense.
The Giants’ offense is, indeed, in dire need of some playmakers. After Saquon Barkley went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 2, the Giants lacked offensive star power. That will, hopefully, change entering 2021.
Luckily for New York, this is a rich free agency class full of talented wide receivers, including Kenny Golladay. The Giants showed interest in Golladay in October, potentially indicating that they will make a push to sign him in free agency.
Should the Giants sign wide receiver Kenny Golladay?
First of all, in order for the Giants to even have a chance of signing Kenny Golladay, he needs to become a free agent. Golladay is indeed a pending free agent, but the Detroit Lions have a few months to negotiate a deal with the stud receiver. Additionally, if the two sides are not able to come to an agreement on a contract extension, the Lions will have the ability to place the franchise tag on Golladay.
There is certainly speculation surrounding the possibility of Golladay and the Lions potentially parting ways. If that happens, Kenny will have a huge market and there will likely be a bidding war between NFL teams for his talents. Many have predicted that the Giants would be involved in that bidding war, including Pro Football Focus.
Kenny Golladay will not come cheap, though. He is likely to receive a contract worth over $20 million on average annually. But if the Giants were to sign Golladay they would be filling a major need with a truly talented player.
Kenny Golladay is a six-foot-four wide receiver with the ability to make big plays downfield. According to PFF, “Golladay’s 628 yards on deep (20-plus yard) passes ranked second in the league in 2019.” Golladay only played in five games this season, though. But last season he led the NFL in receiving touchdowns with 11.
In 2018 and 2019 Kenny Golladay topped 1,000 receiving yards. He made his first Pro Bowl appearance last season as he racked up 65 receptions for 1,190 yards and 11 touchdowns. Golladay is the true number one wide receiver that the Giants are missing. Given their interest in him in October, there is a strong chance the Giants make a run at Golladay if he hits the open market.