Wan'Dale Robinson could have a different kind of Giants breakout with Russell Wilson

New York Post

4 days ago

It wouldn't be a surprise if an achy Wan'Dale Robinson falls asleep at night dreaming of catching a pass in stride, turning upfield and weaving through missed tackles on his way to a big gain.
No receiver in NFL history ever has complained about getting too many targets.
After all, the title of Keyshawn Johnson's memoir wasn't 'Just Share the Damn Ball!'
But Robinson (93 catches for 699 yards on 140 targets) is coming off one of the most unusual high-volume receiving seasons of all time and looking forward to expanding his repertoire beyond just the duty to run a five-yard route and get smacked.
'Obviously, I like being a guy that the quarterbacks can rely on to just be there whenever, so that way you have a completion,' Robinson said. 'But I want to impact the game a little bit more, too … with a couple big plays.'
3 Wan'Dale Robinson runs with the ball during the Giants' game against the Cowboys on Sept. 26
Robert Sabo for the NY Post
Of the 374 NFL receiving seasons since 1992 with at least 140 targets, Robinson's was just the second (Chris Chambers, 2006 Dolphins) to result in fewer than 700 yards.
What's crazier?
Of the 311 receiving seasons in the Super Bowl era with at least 90 catches, Robinson's was the first to result in fewer than 700 yards, per Pro Football Reference.
There is something to be said for quality over quantity.
'I definitely think I'll be moved around a little bit more,' said Robinson, who played 77.7 percent of his snaps in the slot. 'Might be outside a little bit more, get some deeper shots down the field. But just going to continue to get open and be a valuable target for our quarterbacks.'
Robinson could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the change at quarterback to Russell Wilson — and eventually to rookie Jaxson Dart — after the failed six-year Daniel Jones Era.
The former second-round pick averaged 4.1 yards-after-catch per reception last season — only 0.3 over expected, per NextGenStats.
3 Russell Wilson drops back to throw for the Giants on June 5.
Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Considering his 5-foot-8 stature and shiftiness, that number needs to be higher to justify both his workload and a significant pay bump in free agency after this season.
'Wan'Dale is like a running back: Every time he touches the ball, he's hard to tackle,' Wilson said. 'His ability to make people miss, his ability to get away from guys and his ability to escape. I've played with some guys like that before.'
The Giants also appear headed back to offensive coordinator Mike Kafka as the play-caller after a one-year hiatus with head coach Brian Daboll at the controls.
3 Wan'Dale Robinson addresses reporters during a press conference June 5.
Bill Kostroun for the NY Post
Even a watered-down version of the seen-it-all Wilson should provide improvement in throwing routes with timing and anticipation.
And he certainly will push the ball farther downfield with his patented 'Moon Ball,' after leading the NFL last season in Completion Percentage over Expected on 20-plus yard throws.
'[Wilson] tells you exactly what he wants out there running routes, and the spots he needs you to be in. So, it's been really, really nice,' said Robinson, who joined Darius Slayton and Theo Johnson for an Atlanta-based throwing session with Wilson after the Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback signed as a free agent in March.
'Even that little session of just the three of us … it was just kind of like we haven't had a quarterback that's going to command everything, and you know exactly what you want.'
The decision by the Giants to keep the same top four receivers — Malik Nabers, Robinson, Darius Slayton (re-signed to a three-year, $36 million contract) and Jalin Hyatt — while tinkering with almost every position on the depth chart spoke volumes about the internal belief that there was untapped potential held back by quarterback play.
The decision not to draft a mid-round slot receiver was particularly a vote of confidence in Robinson entering his walk-year.
'We're all confident in our abilities,' Robinson said. 'We just feel like whoever's back there — as long as we get some chances and can make plays with the ball after the catch and things like that — we're going to be just fine.'