DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 04: Kenny Golladay #19 of the Detroit Lions (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Kenny Golladay almost ended up a New York Giant at the deadline.
The New York Giants are in a weird spot right now, as they are both a game out of first place and also in possession of the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Perhaps sensing a chance to make a run, Dave Gettleman was considering adding a difference-maker at the deadline in the form of Detroit Lions star receiver Kenny Golladay.
Jordan Raanan confirmed on his podcast that the Giants had discussions about trading for Golladay at the trade deadline. While the Giants are technically in the NFC East hunt and are currently lacking in perimeter talent, Golladay is a free agent at the end of this season.
Kenny Golladay is a quality No. 1 receiver, but he is a free agent after this season
After being picked in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Northern Illinois, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound receiver has become one of the best receivers in the league at snagging contested catches. Golladay has piled up 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons, and he has amassed 84.5 yards per game in a season that has been hampered by injuries.
Gettleman has tried a similar move in the past, trading for New York Jets defensive lineman Leonard Williams before hitting him with the franchise tag before this season. Golladay wants a new long-term contract, and he has expressed a desire to stay in Detroit, but the Giants were so close to stealing him away and giving Daniel Jones a new No. 1 receiver.
If the Lions keep winning, they will have no choice but to keep Matthew Stafford’s preferred vertical target. While trading Golladay right now might seem like lunacy, not pulling the trigger could come back to bite them if he decides to leave Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn in free agency.