NFL analyst says Giants could make surprise trade for 49ers star wide receiver | Sporting News

Facing a make-or-break season, the New York Giants need to prove they’re heading in the right direction. One NFL analyst suggested a surprising move to help that cause.

After San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk officially requested a trade, the speculation and landing spots are running wild.

The Giants surprisingly are included among the teams who could make a blockbuster trade for Aiyuk, according to Bucky Brooks of NFL.com.

Brooks says the Giants would be wise to explore adding Aiyuk to the lineup despite having the “lowest amount of cap space available of any team on this list” at $11.5 million.

He also said Aiyuk would “give Big Blue the kind of versatile playmaker the franchise has been missing” since the Odell Beckham Jr. days.

Making this move for Aiyuk would certainly make the offense better. Rookie sensation Malik Nabers could work primarily from the flanker, getting snaps both on the outside and in the slot, which is what he did at LSU.

Aiyuk primarily plays the X-receiver role, and he would provide an elite talent for Brian Daboll’s offense. There’s no way around the impact he would have coming off a season with 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.

Once we wake up from that dream scenario, it’s clear the move likely isn’t feasible. Simply with the cap concerns, the Giants would have to move around a lot of money to make it work. It’s possible, for sure, but it’s unlikely.

Parting with a future first-round pick also may not be in the wheelhouse for general manager Joe Schoen.

If he’s around after the 2024 season, he very well may need that first-round pick to use on a quarterback prospect in the draft — whether that’s included in a package to trade up or simply drafting a player with the selection.

Trading for Aiyuk would instantly give the Giants a much better offense to surround Daniel Jones, but this hypothetical scenario is most likely a pipe dream.