The biggest name in running back trades, Jonathan Taylor, is likely not coming to New York. The real target for the Giants might be a player many fans overlook until it is too late. Yahoo Sports reports that Dallas Cowboys alum Tony Pollard is the next logical step if the top prize fails. This move would cost the Giants roughly $3.74 million in salary for the rest of the season.
Pollard brings a proven track record that fits the team’s current needs perfectly. Across eight seasons, his yards per carry average has never dropped below 4.0. At present, he averages 4.3 yards per carry while playing for the Tennessee Titans. This pace puts him on track for a career-best 1,171 rushing yards this year. That would mark his fifth straight season with over 1,000 yards on the ground.
A Cheaper Upgrade Than Expected
With the Titans, Pollard is finishing the final year of his three-year, $21.75 million contract. The Giants would only pay the prorated portion of his $6.74 million base salary for 2026. Over ten weeks, that total comes to just $3.74 million.
The Titans are sitting at 1-6 and might need to sell off assets. Developing Cam Ward, the 2025 No. 1 overall pick, into a capable NFL quarterback is their current goal. Trading their best running back could hurt Ward’s development, which gives the Giants leverage. The Titans might hold out for better picks to help their young quarterback instead of taking a loss.
The Cost of the Deal
Picking up Pollard requires a specific draft pick structure that the Giants must navigate carefully. The Giants would likely offer one of their two sixth-round picks in 2027. They could also trade a fifth or sixth-round pick in 2028. The team has a third-rounder available in 2027, but no fourth or fifth-rounders due to other trades.
This scarcity of mid-round picks could spark a bidding war for Pollard. The Titans know his value is high given his consistent production. They might hold out for better assets if they decide to move him at the November 10 NFL trade deadline. The Giants have a deadline to secure the upgrade before the price rises.
A Fit for the Current Roster
Pollard is not a bell-cow back who eats every snap like Jonathan Taylor. John Harbaugh will not receive the Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley circumstance he desires. Rather, Harbaugh will get an upgrade compared to Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary. A two-headed timeshare featuring Cam Skattebo will keep everyone fresh on the team.
He remains a valuable receiver while having caught a minimum of 30 passes in each of the past five seasons. The locker room chemistry might be a factor, as the current running back group is tight-knit. But the need for a reliable upgrade outweighs the risk of changing the rotation.
The Giants hold a solid lead in the NFC East, boasting a 4-2-1 record. They have lost key starters like Jaxson Dart and Brian Burns, yet they remain united. Adding a veteran like Pollard could be the push they need to stay in the playoff hunt.
