New York Giants: Wan’Dale Robinson In Store For A Major Role?
Could Wan’Dale Robinson have a bigger role than many anticipate for the New York Giants in his rookie season?
It is going to be an interesting 2022 season for the New York Giants.
It will be from many angles. For one, bringing in Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll will change the philosophy both in the front office and on the field. They added two potential cornerstones in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal in the 2022 NFL Draft. An improved offensive line will help things for Saquon Barkley, as well as the environment for Daniel Jones, who will get every bit of run this year (both figuratively and literally).
What’s most interesting about this offense is how the wide receiver position shakes out. Does the new regime keep the organization’s ties to Kadarius Toney as their 2021 first-round pick? Can Kenny Golladay right the ship? Can Sterling Shepard be healthy?
The New York Giants didn’t sit on their hands with this, drafting Kentucky standout Wan’Dale Robinson in the second round at 43rd overall. Robinson pumped up the stat sheet in the SEC, crossing the 1,300-yard mark, which isn’t often crossed. Since 2014, the rest of the names are:
-Amari Cooper
-AJ Brown
-Jerry Jeudy
-Justin Jefferson
-Devonta Smith
-Ja’Marr Chase
-Jameson Williams
Other than Jeudy (and Williams who was in this 2022 class), it feels like the rest are hits or are on their way to being so. Now, Robinson is a bit of a smaller guy (5’8″, 178 pounds), but that doesn’t mean he can’t find a role in year one and be a hit in the league.
A lot of it might come down to what happens with Toney (Does he move to the outside as a Z? Is he traded?), but Robinson is this regime’s slot receiver. It’s not hard to picture the comparisons to Isaiah McKenzie, who Daboll worked with in Buffalo. Robinson could be someone who gets the ball a lot in the quick game to maximize his ability to make defenders miss in space and create after the catch. He’s got the speed to sell vertical stems, and has reliable hands and made good plays through contact and a few where he made plays outside his smaller frame.
All of this should translate into a contributor in year one, especially because he was drafted so early, albeit to the surprise of many. It seems unlikely that Schoen and Daboll don’t have a defined year one vision for him. Making him a deep threat and quick game guy, while also manufacturing some backfield touches and alignments, is something that New York Giants fans should be excited about.
Time will tell to see if it happens, but Wan’Dale Robinson has talent. It probably isn’t WR1 talent, but he can be a part of a potential “leap team” on the offensive side of the ball.