When the New York Giants drafted Kentucky stand out Wan’Dale Robinson with the 43rd overall selection in the 2nd round, most were perplexed by the decision.
Robinson wasn’t a well-known prospect that was studied, but his talents are slowly being understood. At just 5’8″ and 178 pounds, Robinson doesn’t have elite hand size or the wingspan of a pterodactyl, but he has something far more important, fight. Robinson is an aggressive receiver who focuses on multiple factors to perfect his game. Ranging from understanding coverages and how to run routes at an elite level, he has all of the tools to become a quality receiver at the next level.
“When I got on staff here, the guys were saying ‘Hey, we got a pretty good shot at landing this transfer, Wan’Dale. He’s from Kentucky.’ I threw on his Nebraska tape, and the thing that pops off right as you watch it is this man is special with the ball in his hands,” Kentucky WR Coach Scott Woodward told the Giants Huddle podcast. “He would line up in the slot, at running back, all over the field. When Nebraska got the ball in his hands, special things happened. Coming from Nebraska and bringing him into our system, with Liam Coen who’s now the OC for the Los Angeles Rams, all you can kind of look at it and see is the Cooper Kupp comparison.”
- Should the Giants extend WR Darius Slayton amidst contract holdout?
- Could the Giants find a day-one starter at right guard in the second round?
- Giants could land All-Pro CB and massive haul in draft trade-down
The New York Giants can do a ton with Wan’Dale Robinson:
Robinson is capable of being an extension to the running game for the Giants, utilizing him on jet sweeps and gadget plays. However, he’s far more than just a gadget player, considering he tallied 1,342 yards last season with seven touchdowns.
Similar to Kadarius Toney, you can’t touch Robinson in a phone booth, given his quickness and agility. Having multiple players who can create something out of nothing in the open field should manufacture production for quarterback Daniel Jones, who desperately needed more offensive support heading into the 2022 campaign.
“When you sit down and talk to Wan’Dale, since he’s been drafted or before he was drafted, all these scouts and coaches have always asked me, ‘What makes Wan’Dale so great?’ One thing, the kid is an absolute dog. That’s just on the field. But one thing that really makes him special is anything that I have ever said to that kid, he’s remembered.”
Having that “dog” mentality is exactly what the Giants are looking for as they prepared to overhaul their offensive unit with head coach Brian Daboll and new coordinator Mike Kafka.
Robinson fits the bill perfectly, given his phenomenal versatility. Last season with Kentucky, he ranked 3rd in college football with 35 screen catches and 4th with 268 screen yards. However, most still confuse his height for a lack of downfield capabilities. Robinson ranked 6th in all of college football with 16 deep catches and 12th with 553 deep yards.
Possessing great route running and physicality at the point of attack, Robinson is more than capable of making a significant impact in the NFL.
The Giants have dealt with deafening injuries the past few seasons to their playmakers, and with Robinson’s stout track record in the health department, he should be a reliable option week in and week out.