That was the revelation from ESPN Jordan Raanan, who reported that the New York Giants contacted the Atlanta Falcons ahead of the NFL trade deadline regarding the star running back.
The inquiry ultimately went nowhere, as the Falcons rebuffed the approach for their prized All-Pro offensive weapon.
Chasing Big Names
The Giants did not complete any trades before Tuesday’s deadline, but their front office clearly aimed high in search of roster reinforcements. According to Yahoo Sports, New York explored deals for multiple star players across the league, including Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and defensive linemen DeForest Buckner and Jeffery Simmons.
The Giants tried hard to make a deal. They even made a call to the Falcons on Bijan Robinson. All this and more on this week's @BreakingBigBlue x @GiantsNationPod. https://t.co/LK8pi5EfeG pic.twitter.com/JMQS9NjD8R
While trade talks with the Colts for Taylor advanced to the offer stage, negotiations stalled. Yahoo Sports reported that the Giants offered a 2027 second-round pick alongside a 2028 fifth-round selection, refusing to include a first-round choice. Indianapolis ultimately decided to keep Taylor through the season.
Draft Capital Limitations
A primary factor limiting New York’s aggressiveness was a depleted inventory of future draft assets. The Giants hold only five picks for the 2027 NFL Draft: their own selections in the first, second, third, and sixth rounds, plus an extra sixth-round pick acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Previous trades stripped the club of its 2027 fourth and seventh-round selections, while a fifth-round pick went to the Minnesota Vikings in late September to acquire quarterback J.J. McCarthy following an injury.
Even if Atlanta had shown a willingness to deal Robinson, prying him away would have required a massive draft haul. The Falcons locked up the running back this offseason to a three-year, $66.8 million contract extension, treating him as a foundational piece of their franchise, NBC Sports reported.
Backfield Realities
Through eight games, the Giants have accumulated 897 rushing yards at a clip of 3.9 yards per carry, down from their 2025 average of 129.1 rushing yards per contest. Sunday’s 19-11 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles highlighted the deficiency, as the offense managed just 80 yards on 31 carries with Devin Singletary shouldering 21 attempts.
“You could just as well make the case that you’re showing belief in your guys that you can do something by keeping all the guys you got,” John Harbaugh, Giants coach, said, as Yahoo Sports reported. “We love our guys and we feel like we have everything we need to go accomplish everything we want to accomplish. Now we just got to go do it.”
Upcoming Matchup
The 5-2-1 Giants turn their attention toward Week 10 and a Thursday Night Football rematch against the Washington Commanders. Running back Cam Skattebo is expected to return from a hamstring injury for the contest, telling NJ.com on Tuesday that he is ready to shoulder the load.
“You know what I can do,” Skattebo said. “When I step on the field and I’m ready to play, I can be one of the most dangerous running backs in the league. Simple.”
More on Yahoo Sports
Giants called Falcons to inquire about Bijan Robinson at trade deadline, per @JordanRaanan.
The Giants made a call to the Falcons before the NFL trade deadline inquiring about Bijan Robinson's availability, per @JordanRaanan. The Giants inquired about Kenneth Walker III in free agency, were interested in Jeremiyah Love during the draft, made a trade offer to the Colts… pic.twitter.com/S585cNeL8a
Giants made desperate call to Falcons about Bijan Robinson 📸 Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/FaWwlmO2Zz pic.twitter.com/Q2hfFav90b
