EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants made a call to the Atlanta Falcons before the NFL trade deadline inquiring about star running back Bijan Robinson, multiple sources told ESPN.
It was the latest call about potentially acquiring a running back made by the Giants, who have been linked to multiple high-level players at the position since hiring John Harbaugh earlier this year.
The Giants inquired about Kenneth Walker III in free agency, were interested in Jeremiyah Love at the top of this year's draft, made a trade offer to the Indianapolis Colts for Jonathan Taylor that ultimately was taken off the table, called the Tennessee Titans about Tony Pollard and looked into Justice Hill with the Baltimore Ravens before the deadline, according to sources.
It was unknown if New York actually made an offer to Atlanta for Robinson, the NFL's leading rusher.
Harbaugh was asked an hour before Tuesday's trade deadline about his desire to add a playmaker.
"I'd be excited ... for the right guy," he said. "My excitement level would be based on who the player is. You get the right player, then you're really excited. I wouldn't be excited for the not-right player. There's players you love and players you like. I would want a player that we love."
Robinson would seem to fit into that category, as a strong argument can be made that he's the best running back in the NFL. The 24-year-old has 1,130 yards from scrimmage this season, second in the NFL behind only Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs.
Multiple league sources believe, however, that Robinson is untouchable as the face of the Falcons.
Harbaugh has been adamant about building a big and physical team in New York and wants his offense to be centered around a power running game. But the Giants are 17th in rushing, averaging 112.1 yards per game and a pedestrian 3.9 yards per carry.
Cam Skattebo has primarily served as the lead back with Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary also playing significant roles. Tracy is currently on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
The Giants (5-2-1) are first in the NFC East but didn't make a move at the trade deadline. They offered a second-round draft pick, a future fifth-rounder and an unknown player to the Colts for Taylor in recent weeks. The Colts wanted significantly more and ultimately didn't seem motivated to move him, several executives told ESPN.
New York eventually took the offer off the table, according to Harbaugh, and the teams never serious reengaged before the deadline.
The Giants now move forward with Skattebo as the lead back. The physical runner is set to return Thursday night against the Washington Commanders after missing a game with a hamstring injury.
Skattebo leads the Giants with 418 yards on the ground and is averaging 4.3 yards per carry but had the first two carries of his career over 20 yards in a Week 8 overtime win over the Houston Texans. The second-year player was also demoted for a game earlier this season because of fumbles.