The New York Giants have reached their Week 8 bye in a better position than most expected, sitting atop the NFC East with a record of 4-2-1 after Sunday’s 27-21 overtime victory against the Houston Texans. Their success is particularly impressive given the season-ending injury to Jaxson Dart, which forced head coach John Harbaugh to make significant changes at the quarterback position. J.J. McCarthy has stepped up to the challenge, throwing for 252 yards against Houston after joining the team from Minnesota in September. Former Giants quarterback Russell Wilson recently praised the strong relationship between McCarthy and Harbaugh, highlighting the support available to the 23-year-old as he adjusts to his new surroundings.
While the offense has shown promising progress, general manager Joe Schoen has a chance to address a less-noticed area of weakness. The Giants' defensive interior remains vulnerable despite their improved record, and the upcoming trade deadline on November 10 presents an affordable opportunity to strengthen this position. The Giants should utilize their bye week to explore the possibility of reuniting with Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. His experience and current contractual situation make him an appealing target for a team looking to turn an unexpected division lead into a playoff appearance.
Giants should bring Dalvin Tomlinson back to New York
The Giants have spent much of the season trying to establish a reliable rotation along their defensive line, with mixed results from several players responsible for stopping the run. D.J. Reader has provided valuable experience at nose tackle, but New York has struggled to find the same level of reliability elsewhere on the interior line.
Shelby Harris has delivered some encouraging performances, but he has not maintained that level of play every week. Meanwhile, younger players have experienced the inconsistencies that often come with taking on larger responsibilities. Darius Alexander has shown improvement against the run, and rookie Bobby Jamison-Travis had a more promising performance against Houston after struggling in his previous game. Their development is crucial to the Giants' long-term plans, although relying on inexperienced defenders to solve all problems during a competitive playoff race poses unnecessary risks.
Recently, New York added Dean Lowry to its practice squad, giving the coaching staff another veteran option. This signing addresses depth concerns without guaranteeing an immediate solution, especially since Lowry spent last season recovering from a torn ACL.
Another potential addition is Tomlinson, who could provide the dependable presence that the current rotation lacks. The 32-year-old began his NFL career with the Giants after being selected in the second round of the 2017 draft. He spent four seasons in New York, starting all 64 games he played and establishing a reputation as a physical interior defender capable of handling tough assignments against the run. Since leaving the Giants in 2021, Tomlinson has played for Minnesota, Cleveland, Arizona, and Los Angeles, gaining experience across several defensive systems. His career includes over 140 starts, giving him significantly more experience than most players who could realistically be available for a modest price before the trade deadline.
The Chargers signed him to a one-year contract in March, hoping his physicality would strengthen their defensive front, but Los Angeles has opened the season with a 0-6 record, creating a different set of priorities than those facing New York. With the Chargers increasingly unlikely to compete for the postseason, retaining an older defensive lineman on an expiring contract offers limited long-term value unless they believe he is essential to their development plans.
A trade would allow Los Angeles to recover draft compensation while giving Tomlinson an opportunity to contribute to a team competing for a division title. The Giants would benefit from adding a defender whose strengths align with one of their primary weaknesses, especially as their schedule becomes more challenging after the bye.
Why Tomlinson makes more sense than an expensive offensive acquisition
New York has valid reasons to consider strengthening its offense, especially with McCarthy still learning Matt Nagy's system and several key players recovering from injuries. Malik Nabers has emerged as an important receiving threat, while Cam Skattebo continues to develop into a valuable part of the rushing attack. Their contributions have helped the Giants remain competitive despite the quarterback changes that disrupted the opening month.
McCarthy's performance against Houston provided further encouragement, particularly given the short time he has had to build chemistry with his teammates, and while the Giants could look for additional receiving help, spending significant draft capital on another offensive playmaker might overlook the investment made in developing younger talent already on the roster.
Harbaugh has shown the ability to compete with the personnel available, and the bye week offers Nagy extra preparation time to improve the passing game before facing Philadelphia. On the other hand, strengthening the defensive line presents a more immediate opportunity that does not require a substantial financial commitment. Tomlinson is currently on a one-year contract worth approximately $6.5 million, with a relatively modest remaining base salary for a team interested in acquiring him. His contract will expire after the season, allowing the Giants to assess his contribution without committing significant future resources. The compensation required would likely be much more manageable than pursuing a prominent starter with several years remaining on his contract.
A late-round draft pick could serve as a foundation for negotiations, especially since the Chargers would have little incentive to demand an excessive return for a veteran nearing free agency. Schoen could even consider exchanging late-round picks from different years, allowing New York to preserve its premium draft capital while providing Los Angeles with something useful for a player whose immediate value is greater to a contender.
However, it’s essential to be realistic about Tomlinson's potential impact. His performance has declined from his strongest seasons, and he no longer delivers the same level of consistent disruption that made him a valuable contributor earlier in his career. So, his run-defense performances have improved this year, suggesting he could still effectively contribute in a rotation that manages his workload.
Article Continues BelowNew York would benefit from assigning him specific tasks alongside Reader and Harris, allowing younger defenders to continue developing without being pressured to perform beyond their current readiness. This strategy would enhance the defensive line rotation while preserving the Giants' ability to invest more heavily in that area during the offseason.
New York's playoff position makes the timing particularly attractive
The Giants have shown their ability to navigate challenging situations, but their narrow victories and occasional defensive lapses indicate there is still significant room for improvement. Sunday's overtime win against Houston exemplified how the team can find ways to win even without dominating every aspect of the game. Coach Harbaugh has fostered greater resilience while McCarthy's emergence has instilled renewed confidence in the offense as they head into the second half of the season.
To maintain this progress, the team needs more consistent defensive performances, particularly against opponents with strong rushing attacks. Dennard Wilson's defense has received positive contributions from various players, but the interior rotation remains a concern, and adding another experienced defender could make an immediate impact.
The Giants will return from their bye week to face Philadelphia on November 8, followed by a short turnaround before playing Washington, and these matchups will place significant demands on the roster, making added defensive depth particularly valuable. They began the season facing considerable uncertainty, but their unexpected rise to first place has created an opportunity worth protecting. A modest investment in a veteran defensive player could help the Giants sustain their progress while preserving the resources necessary to develop their young offensive core.