EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Eli Manning already is trying to connect with Braylon Edwards, even though they still are on different teams.

The usually tight-lipped quarterback couldn't help but add to the speculation over a possible trade for the Browns receiver Thursday when, on ESPN, he was discussing the Giants' potential desire to acquire a big-time threat. Naturally, Edwards came up.

"You just see him make big plays," Manning said. "I know last year maybe wasn't his best year, but two years ago, he scored a lot of touchdowns. And I think you want a guy who can catch the ball and get in the end zone."

Manning stepped outside his usual mantras to make it known he would like a target to replace Plaxico Burress, released this month.

"I think Jerry Reese and the coaches and the owners, they've been studying all the receivers, whether it's the draft or free agents and what might happen, so I think they're on top of it," Manning said.

"They know we have some good receivers but that we might need a No. 1 receiver . . . And I'm sure something will happen during the draft or before the draft or right near it to help us out."

At his pre-draft news conference Thursday, Reese said he didn't consider receiver a "glaring need," even though Burress and Amani Toomer are gone.

"I think people are panicked a little about the receiver," Reese said. "We're not panicked about getting a receiver. We have pro football receivers on our team right now. We're going to try to improve it, but sometimes if you can't do that, you go with the hand you're dealt and you don't look back."

Reese dismissed most of the speculation of a trade for Edwards as "a lot of chatter, a lot of false reports." He also hinted that the price for newly available Anquan Boldin of the Cardinals — reportedly at least first- and third-round picks — may be too high.

"There's different ways to win Super Bowls," he said, "and if we don't have a big receiver, we'll try our best to win other ways."