The New York Giants can’t alter past decisions, but it’s natural to wonder about what might have been.
On June 25, 33rd Team NFL analyst Marcus Mosher reimagined the 2021 draft, suggesting the Giants should have selected Kansas City Chiefs’ two-time Super Bowl champion guard Trey Smith at No. 20 overall instead of Kadarius Toney. Mosher highlighted that Smith, who fell to the sixth round due to medical concerns, would have been a significant boost for the Giants’ struggling interior offensive line.
Smith has proven to be a valuable asset for the Chiefs, starting 60 games across regular and playoff seasons over the last three years. His consistent performance as a top interior blocker contrasts sharply with the Giants’ ongoing struggles on the offensive line, making Smith a potentially game-changing addition.
Pro Football Focus describes Smith as a well-rounded player, with his run blocking slightly outperforming his pass protection, though the difference is minimal.
Since joining the league, Smith has given up only nine sacks, including the postseason, and just four sacks on Patrick Mahomes II since his rookie year.
However, Smith’s game does have a weakness: penalties. He has been flagged 11 times in both 2021 and 2023, and six more times in 2022.
Despite these issues, Smith would have been a more valuable pick for the Giants compared to Toney, who was traded for draft assets that led to the acquisitions of tight end Darren Waller (now retired) and cornerback Tre Hawkins. Unfortunately for the Giants, Smith ended up with the Chiefs, leaving New York still in search of solutions for their offensive line.
Ex-Giants WR Kadarius Toney Faces Possible Release in 2024
Kadarius Toney, once a promising wide receiver, has struggled to make an impact with the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite being part of two Super Bowl-winning teams, his individual performance has been underwhelming.
Toney is now facing a potential roster cut in 2024. Back in February, Clutch Points writer Liam Hanley suggested that the Chiefs should release Toney, citing his lackluster statistics: 41 catches for 340 yards over 20 games, with a disappointing 6.3 yards per catch in 2023. Hanley also highlighted Toney’s issues with drops, noting he missed five of his 38 targets.
Hanley deemed Toney a “primary scapegoat” for the Chiefs’ offensive woes and considered releasing him the best option for the team, despite a $2.53 million dead cap charge.
In June, the possibility of Toney’s release seems more likely as he competes with Skyy Moore and Justyn Ross for a roster spot. Chiefs beat reporter Nick Jacobs indicated that Toney is still being given a chance to prove himself, but his situation remains precarious. If released before Week 1, it would mark a significant downturn for Toney, who was once expected to be a key player for the Chiefs.
