The New York Giants plan to go “big-game hunting” at the wide receiver position ahead of the NFL trade deadline and are eyeing the Miami Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle as a potential target, according to Connor Hughes of SNY.
The Giants opened the season 0-3, but got upset wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles in two of the last three weeks. Leading the way in that resurgence has been the rookie duo of quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo.
With star receiver Malik Nabers done for the year and Darius Slayton currently sidelined, it makes sense that the Giants want to surround their young quarterback with more talent.
The Dolphins parting with Waddle would be a shock, though.
Earlier this season, Miami lost Tyreek Hill for the season, leaving the team with underwhelming receiving options for Tua Tagovailoa. After Waddle, the team has Malik Washington, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Dee Eskridge, and Tahj Washington at the position. None of those players has even 100 receiving yards through the first six games of the season.
On top of his important to the Dolphins offense, Waddle isn’t a particularly expensive player right now. He counts just $8 million against the team’s salary cap in 2025 and will count $11.7 million next season. It isn’t until 2027 and 2028 when Waddle’s cap hits jump to $33.8 and $37.2 million, respectively.
If — and it remains a big if — Dolphins general manager Chris Grier is fired in the next couple weeks, Miami may have a greater willingness to trade away cornerstone pieces. Even then, it would likely take a king’s ransom to pry a building block like Waddle out of Miami.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Giants reportedly eyeing Dolphins WR as trade target
Reporting by Adam Stites, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
