After a dismal Week 1 performance, scoring just a pair of field goals in a 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders, it seemed like the right time for the New York Giants to turn to Jaxson Dart at quarterback. Russell Wilson managed to complete only 17 of his 37 passes in Week 1, totaling only 168 yards. That the Giants’ offense responded in Week 2 with 450 yards through the air — the second-highest total of Wilson’s 14-year career — came out of the blue and probably bought Wilson at least a few more weeks on the job.
In that game, New York’s best wideout was Malik Nabers, last season’s sixth overall pick. Nabers hauled in nine of his 13 targets for 167 yards and two scores, portending the sort of leap to superstardom that Giants fans widely expect. But Wan’Dale Robinson also managed eight catches for 142 yards and a score, increasing his total to 197 for the season, good for the sixth-most in football. So far, the speedy 24-year-old ranks as WR9 by standard fantasy football scoring despite being drafted as WR70 overall.
While his production might not be fully sustainable — he had a far more modest six catches for 55 yards in Week 1 — he’ll have enough highs that he’s worth starting on a week-in, week-out basis. Despite being just five-foot-eight, he’s made himself a reliable red-zone target, garnering 38.6% of New York’s targets inside the 20 last season, the second-highest rate of any receiver on any team. He also accounted for nine of the Giants’ 24 targets inside the 10-yard line, one fewer than Nabers. So far this season, Robinson has only two red-zone targets, but the sample size is small, in part because both he and Nabers scored from outside the 20.
Both Robinson and Nabers should continue to be fantasy-viable in Mike Kafka’s offense. This season, Wilson ranks fifth in passing attempts and leads the league in passing yards, and last season, with Brian Daboll calling the plays, New York also ranked in the Top 10 in passing play frequency but second-to-last in adjusted net yards per attempt. The offensive efficiency should return to its 2022 and 2023 levels with Kafka calling the plays, and the frequency should remain high, as running backs Tyrone Tracy and Cam Skattebo aren’t exactly as dangerous as Saquon Barkley.
Wilson has also been a gunslinger for most of his career, finishing in the top seven in intended air yards per passing attempt in each of his final four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Tyrod Taylor also would’ve ranked fifth in that stat in 2023 if he’d recorded enough attempts to qualify. A more vertical offense should help Robinson, whose combination of speed and sure hands makes him a reliable deep threat. Five of his 10 targets on Sunday came more than 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. The Giants’ other two quarterbacks, Dart and Jameis Winston, both have the propensity and ability to launch deep balls as well.
