Second-Year Scouting Report: Wan’Dale Robinson

We are now just 33 days away from the start of the 2023 NFL season. On Sept. 7, we will all be enjoying the Thursday night kickoff matchup between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs.

Best ball season is in full swing and redraft leagues preparations have begun. As more and more fantasy managers begin drafting, this year’s rookies start to gain momentum. As the rookies gain attention, the sophomore class from last season starts to become overshadowed. Taking advantage of the prioritization of rookies over established veterans is a great edge to attack in fantasy drafts, especially when it comes to second-year players. These players often take huge strides during their second NFL season, building on their full season of NFL experience and development. 

We continue our second-year scouting report series today with New York Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. The second-round pick in the 2022 draft produced a frustrating rookie season, anchored by injuries. Robinson missed four games with a knee sprain and ended the season missing seven games after an ACL team. The explosive Kentucky product did flash potential and should be fully recovered early in the 2023 campaign. This article will provide an overview of Wan’Dale Robinson and how you should view him for redraft and dynasty leagues this season.

Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants

Robinson was expected to produce immediately, bringing high draft capital to a shallow depth chart. However, Robinson injured his knee in Week 1and never really found the consistency needed to provide optimism for the future. His snap share increased in every game played however, and he ended the season in the midst of a nine-reception, 13-target game against Detroit. Can Robinson pick up where his 2022 season abruptly ended? 

What Went Wrong

The injuries. 

Robinson profiled as the quintessential slot receiver after a dominant final season at Kentucky.  He posted 1,334 receiving yards on an almost 40% target share, with seven touchdowns. Robinson tallied incredible numbers of 144 targets and 104 receptions. He never found a consistent connection with quarterback Daniel Jones, and when he did, his season was over. 

What Went Right

With the Giants, he scored a touchdown against Baltimore in Week 6 and finished as the overall WR9 in Week 11 despite the ACL tear. In limited playing time, he displayed the shiftiness and speed that illustrated why New York selected him early in the second-round. It was certainly a shallow depth chart, with Darius Slayton and Richie James leading the receiving stats as season’s end. An ode to what “could have been.” 

Prognosis Entering 2023

Robinson’s prognosis is unknown, but that presents an opportunity. Assuming he’s healthy, Robinson will certainly get opportunities again. The Giants were clearly concerned about his recovery, bringing in veteran Parris Campbell and drafting speedy wideout Jalin Hyatt in Round 3 of this year’s draft. Veteran Sterling Shepard is also back, bringing an already established connection with the veteran quarterback. He also fell further down the target depth chart with the Giants trade with the Raiders for tight end Darren Waller. The rumors already signal that Robinson will not be ready for Week 1, which will put him even further behind the competition. 

Dynasty Outlook

In dynasty/long-term fantasy leagues, Wan’Dale Robinson is in a tricky position. He needs to get back on the field early in the season and establish his role as a top pass-catcher in this offense. But he is at a pivotal point in his young career, as the new group of receivers could stifle his role in this offense very quickly. Robinson has speed, great college production, and high draft capital. He also has a young franchise quarterback in Daniel Jones, who is coming off career highs in passing yards (3,205), yards per attempts (6.8) and passing touchdowns (15). He is a “hold” for me in dynasty leagues, as his trade value is currently limited. I’m still a Robinson believer, but this is a critical year for the speedy, but diminutive Giants slot receiver.