The New York Giants are weighing an aggressive move for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor before Tuesday’s trade deadline, with SNY’s Connor Hughes urging the team to offer its 2027 first-round pick to close a deal.
The Giants have shown interest in Taylor as they look to strengthen a struggling run game. Against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9, New York managed only 80 rushing yards on 31 carries. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy accounted for 22 of those yards on the ground, while Devin Singletary and the rest of the backfield produced little.
Hughes said the Giants should meet the Colts’ reported desire for a first-round selection.
“Although nothing is imminent, the Colts right now really want that first-round pick, and the Giants are deciding whether or not they want to offer their 2027 first-round pick or try to put together a package of other selections,” Hughes said in a Nov. 8 video.
“I think we’re getting to the point where the Giants should offer that first. They should do whatever they can to get Jonathan Taylor because this is a team that, for whatever reason, just finds ways to win football games,” Hughes added.
The Giants previously offered a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick for Taylor, according to FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer. That package was later pulled after Indianapolis sought more compensation. Hughes argued the time has come to increase the bid and secure the player.
Taylor has rushed for 656 yards on 161 carries this season, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt with eight touchdowns. He has also caught 26 passes for 220 yards. Earlier in the season, Pro Football Focus graded him at 62.8 overall after 148 carries for 610 yards and 19 missed tackles forced as a runner.
The 27-year-old remains under contract through 2028 after signing a two-year, $44 million extension. That remaining term would give the Giants a multi-year starter if they complete a trade. Hughes noted Taylor could still be an elite-level runner in 2027 and effective in 2028.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported that trade talks are expected to continue until the deadline. “The trade chatter regarding Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has lasted for two weeks,” Florio wrote in a Nov. 8 article. “It will last at least two more days. The current belief in league circles is that the Colts will take the best offer that’s on the table as the deadline approaches at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday.”
Florio listed the Giants among the teams linked to Taylor, along with the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers. “So whether it’s the teams that have been linked to Taylor (Giants, Vikings, Seahawks, Broncos, Packers) or someone unexpected (like the 49ers), a trade is expected to happen before the clock strikes 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 10,” Florio wrote.
The Colts sit at 2-7 after a 27-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9. Indianapolis has already traded key veterans including Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner as part of a broader sell-off. That leaves Taylor as one of the remaining high-value assets.
For the Giants, landing Taylor would address a clear need. Their current backfield options have not produced consistently, and adding a proven three-down back could support a passing attack that has shown flashes with McCarthy. Hughes pointed to the team’s ability to win close games and said complementary football on the ground would help.
The Giants must decide quickly whether to re-engage with a higher offer. With less than 48 hours until the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Nov. 10, other teams including the Vikings remain in the mix. A first-round pick would represent a significant investment, but Hughes said the Giants should do what is necessary to acquire Taylor and improve their chances this season and next.
Taylor’s career totals include 8,208 rushing yards and 77 touchdowns. His production this year, despite the Colts’ poor record, shows he can still handle a heavy workload. The Giants’ next move will determine whether he becomes part of their plans for a playoff push.
