The Kadarius Toney Saga Comes to an end for New York

Oct 27

The New York Giants traded their 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears in exchange for multiple picks, including a 2022 1st rounder and the Bears 20th overall pick. The Giants elected to select WR Kadarius Toney out of Florida with the 20th overall pick. Toney was an intriguing prospect due to his elite speed and elusiveness. He was brought in expected to be a key playmaker for Giants QB Daniel Jones.

After an interesting rookie season that include 7 missed games and a rookie-record 189 yard performance, Toney dealt with injuries throughout training camp and preseason. Toney was healthy the first two games of the season, catching two passes for 0 yards and having 23 rushing yards. He then went out with a hamstring injury, and appeared to make no progress with this injury. ESPN’s Adam Schefter even reported that Toney hurt his other hamstring while rehabbing his initial injury.

While the Giants are currently 6-1, Toney has made no impact and has not shown the new regime any desire to be out there and contribute. Toney was former GM Dave Gettleman’s last first round selection for the Giants. Gettleman’s tenure with the Giants is not very ideal and the entire fanbase was begging for him to be fired this past season. The new regime, lead by GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have shown that they will make the tough decisions that the past group did not.

Toney was ultimately traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for a conditional third rounder and a sixth rounder in the 2023 NFL Draft. While some may seem trading a first rounder for these picks as a failure, it is quite impressive to receive any type of compensation for a player who has missed 12 of 24 games due to injury, has zero career touchdowns, and has his desire for playing football questioned. There is no denying his talent, and he should be a dynamic player for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, but the Giants get to receive some draft capital and move on from just another Dave Gettleman mistake.