The New York Giants entered the offseason in dire need of offensive weapons. They didn’t really sign any in free agency (unless you count running back Devin Singletary, who was just a replacement for Saquon Barkley), but they did select LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the No. 6 pick of the NFL Draft.
Nabers is expected to step in as the Giants’ No. 1 receiver, which would give New York its first legitimate No. 1 wide out since Odell Beckham Jr.
But the Giants aren’t only hoping that Nabers will post big numbers. They are also hoping that he will make the other receivers on the roster better.
Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team sees Wan’Dale Robinson as the player who could benefit most from Nabers’ presence.
“He is more of a “gadget” player than an actual wide receiver,” Mosher said of Robinson. “However, rookie Malik Nabers gives the New York Giants a No. 1 receiver, so Robinson can return to being a dynamic slot receiver.”
Robinson, who played his collegiate football at the University of Kentucky, was selected by New York in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
He played in just six games during his rookie campaign before tearing his ACL, logging 23 catches for 227 yards and a touchdown during his time on the field.
Robinson returned to action this past season and was solid, hauling in 60 receptions for 525 yards and a score in 15 contests.
Obviously, the Giants would like it if Robinson improves his yards per catch, especially considering how explosive the 23-year-old is.
Perhaps Nabers will help open up Robinson for bigger gains in 2024.
Assuming Nabers materializes, New York will suddenly have an interesting young receiving corps that also includes Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt, the latter of whom is also viewed as a potential breakout candidate by some entering next season.
The Giants went just 6-11 this past season, which came after they went a surprising 9-6-1 and made the playoffs the year prior. They even upset the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card Round.
That encouraging 2022 campaign represented just Big Blue’s second postseason appearance since 2012.
We’ll see if New York can get back on track in 2024, and if Robinson ends up being a significant reason for it.
