Publicly, Giants GM Joe Schoen has played down the team’s glaring wide receiver need at every turn.

“I know people want to talk about offense and the receivers a lot, but we’re still building a team in all three phases: we’re gonna look to upgrade offensively, defensively and our special teams unit,” Schoen said Wednesday.

And he’s telling the truth: the Giants don’t have a one-track mind.

Sources say the team is in the market for inside linebackers, defensive linemen, corners and interior offensive linemen approaching next week’s start of free agency and April’s NFL Draft.

There is even optimism, per sources, that the Giants will be able to re-sign safety and captain Julian Love. They’ve already started talking with defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence’s reps about an extension, too.

But don’t be fooled: especially after paying Daniel Jones $82 million over the next two seasons, upgrading the wide receiver position is a front-burner priority.

Sources say the Giants have poked around on the veteran wide receiver trade market. The first place to look is always to the familiar.

In free agency, it sounds like the Giants might have their eyes on slot receiver Cole Beasley. They nearly reunited Beasley and his former Bills offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll, last season to resume their productive pairing.

Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis, meanwhile, could be a potential trade target if Buffalo can’t reach an extension with its No. 2 wideout who has shown No. 1 ability.

Davis, a former fourth-round pick, is due to make $2.9 million in the final year of his rookie contract. And the Bills already are paying Stefon Diggs big money.

It’s no secret that Schoen and Daboll have a high affinity for Davis. Daboll was the play-caller for Davis’ eight-catch, 201-yard, four-touchdown AFC divisional playoff outburst in Jan. 2022.

It makes sense to pursue trade possibilities at receiver, given this year’s underwhelming free agent receiver class and a draft crop — that Schoen is also scouting closely — with no obvious stars.

The L.A. Rams have given Allen Robinson permission to seek a trade, per NFL Network. He has two years left on his contract, and the Rams are willing to pay part of his $15.25 million salary in 2023 to get a deal done. Robinson has ties to the East Coast, too.

The Arizona Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins, 30, is the biggest and most intriguing name available, but there has been no …read more

Source:: The Mercury News

      

Wide receivers on front burner of Joe Schoen’s sweeping Giants offseason plan

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