Wide receiver Kadarius Toney's wild ride in New York has ended. Toney, taken No. 20 overall in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, was traded from the Giants to the Chiefs on Thursday, less than a week before the 2022 midseason trade deadline.
Toney played in only 12 games from his rookie through half his second season, starting five. He was drafted by the previous regime of Joe Judge and Dave Gettleman and it's clear neither offensive-minded coach Brian Daboll nor new GM Joe Schoen wanted to incorporate Toney into the game plans, much like overpriced free-agent signing Kenny Golladay.
With frustration building over Toney and Golladay's availability and fit with the philosophy, to help Daniel Jones, the Giants had to move at least one of them. Toney had the greater value and upside for an outside team.
The Giants are 6-1. The Chiefs are 5-2.
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Here's breaking down why the deal was a winner for both teams:
Kadarius Toney trade grades
Chiefs receive:
- WR Kadarius Toney
Giants receive:
- 2023 conditional third-round pick
- 2023 sixth-round pick
Chiefs grade: A
Perhaps coach Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach had some insight from Mike Kafka, Patrick Mahomes' former QB coach who is now the Giants' offensive coordinator, on why Toney might be a fine fit in Kansas City's offense.
When Toney was coming out of Florida, Tyreek Hill was a natural draft comparison because of Toney's dynamic slot playmaking in the open field combined with speedy field-stretching ability. Toney (6-0, 193 pounds) is a little taller than Hill (5-10, 191) but his 4.39 40-yard dash says he also can be fast enough for Kansas City.
The Chiefs have made it work after trading Hill to the Dolphins with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mecole Hardman and others giving Mahomes some big plays by committee playing off tight end Travis Kelce in the passing game. But rookie second-rounder Skyy Moore, who also drew some Hill comparisons, has been slow to catch on to the offense.
Toney, for now, offers more upside. He needs to get healthy after battling hamstring and knee issues. But he can be a factor down the stretch and come playoff time once he absorbs the offense, which should be easier given the Kafka connection. Toney also will have time to fully heal and the Chiefs having a Week 8 bye helps, too.
The Chiefs were smart to take a flyer on a guy who can fly for Mahomes. This might turn into an absolute steal as Toney gets a needed change of scenery.
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Giants grade: A
This is the rare win-win trade for two playoff contenders. Toney wasn't helping the Giants and Jones, anyway. He was more of a headache with some of his messy mercurial nature on top of availability issues.
Toney and the Giants just weren't a good fit after the coaching transition. The Giants got very good return for a player not in their current or future plans with Jones.
The Chiefs got aggressive trying for their new Hill, which was worth it. The Giants should feel they got good addition in relation to a subtraction. Look for New York to try to dump Golladay, too, soon, however it can to get out of his hefty contract. Rookie Wan'Dale Robinson, a new version of Toney, is headed to be the most dangerous receiving weapon going forward.
