Wan’Dale Robinson emerged as the top receiver in short passing targets last season, earning him recognition as the Wan’Dale Robinson short pass king. A second-round draft pick by the New York Giants in 2022, Robinson, standing 5-foot-8 and weighing 185 pounds, has primarily operated as a slot receiver in three-receiver formations. His rookie campaign was hampered by a patella sprain in Week 1 and an ACL tear later in the season, which limited his playing time and development early on.

After a cautious return that involved missing the first two weeks of the following season, Robinson gradually increased his snap count, playing roughly two-thirds of the Giants’ offensive snaps. Despite increased playing time, his target rate dropped, resulting in fewer receiving yards per game compared to his breakout nine-catch, 100-yard game in his rookie year. However, 2024 saw Robinson increase his routes and targets per game significantly, leading to more receptions. Although his catch rate dropped slightly and he recorded seven dropped passes, his overall receptions rose to 93 on 132 targets, totaling 699 yards and three touchdowns.

The vast majority of Robinson’s targets—108 out of 132—came on passes thrown within nine yards of the line of scrimmage, the highest among all wide receivers. His ability to create separation when targeted improved, and he demonstrated strong elusiveness by avoiding 0.033 tackles per route run, ranking seventh all-time among receivers. Yet, a combination of inaccurate throws and tight defensive coverage kept his yards after catch relatively low, preventing more explosive plays despite the volume of short passes.

Stability in the Giants’ Receiving Corps and Robinson’s Future Role

Heading into 2025, the Giants’ wide receiver lineup remains largely unchanged, with Robinson firmly established as the slot receiver in three-wide receiver sets. The other primary receivers on the roster remain consistent with the previous year’s roster, with only minor changes such as the addition of Cameron Skattebo at running back. Competition for targets might slightly increase due to Jalin Hyatt potentially gaining snaps at the expense of Darius Slayton, but this shift is not expected to diminish Robinson’s role.

Robinson is expected to continue as the Giants’ clear second option in targets, trailing only Malik Nabers. Together, Robinson and Nabers accounted for 55.6% of the team’s passing targets last season, an unusually high share for two receivers on the same team over the last decade. Even if Robinson’s targets decline somewhat in 2025, it will likely not be due to loss of playing time but other factors such as quarterback play or offensive dynamics.

Influence of Quarterback and Coaching Changes on Robinson’s Prospects

The Giants’ offensive system under Brian Daboll will remain the backdrop for Robinson’s evolution as a slot receiver. Daboll has shown affinity for featuring Robinson at the core of the offense, although his play-calling may partly explain Robinson’s consistently short routes and low average depth of target, which have limited offense explosiveness.

The most notable change for Robinson in 2025 is the anticipated arrival of Russell Wilson as the Giants’ starting quarterback. Wilson is known for a mix of deep passing and frequent checkdowns to running backs. While he tends to throw more deep balls than Robinson typically operates on, Wilson’s precision on short passes stands out. This improvement in throw accuracy could enhance the quality of Robinson’s targets, even if the total number declines. Increased pass accuracy will likely allow Robinson to catch the ball more cleanly and convert plays after the catch with less resistance.

Wilson’s previous experience working successfully with slot receivers such as Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate, and Tyler Lockett offers a promising template for his potential partnership with Robinson. This history suggests Wilson understands how to maximize a slot receiver’s impact, which bodes well for Robinson’s growth.

Despite the likely benefit of Wilson’s accurate short passing, there remains some uncertainty. Alternative quarterback candidates such as Jaxson Dart or Jameis Winston could see playing time, which may affect consistency and target distribution due to their different playing styles.

Robinson’s Value in Fantasy Football and Season Outlook

Wan’Dale Robinson’s high target volume last season positioned him as an appealing fantasy football option, primarily as a low-end WR3 with considerable upside. Although the introduction of Wilson may reduce the total number of targets Robinson receives, the quality of those opportunities is expected to improve. More accurate passes should compensate for lower volume, enhancing Robinson’s reliability and efficiency as a receiver.

With sustained playing time and continued trust from Brian Daboll, Robinson has a strong chance to refine his skills and become a more consistent contributor. His ability to gain separation quickly and avoid tackles remains a key strength expected to translate into more yards after catch provided the passing accuracy improves. Robinson’s role as the second target behind Malik Nabers also means he will continue to be central to the Giants’ passing offense.

In the broader NFL context, Robinson’s evolution will be watched closely as he tries to convert his short-pass proficiency into a breakout season, leveraging the accurate passing and veteran leadership of Russell Wilson. For fantasy players and Giants fans alike, Robinson’s development in 2025 may prove pivotal in the team’s offensive success.