Wan'Dale Robinson emerges as WR1 for New York Giants

The Wan’Dale Robinson show is about to begin in the Big Apple.

Coming off a breakout performance in the Giants’ win over the Jaguars that saw the former Wildcat haul in six of his eight targets for 50 yards, New York has traded away fellow wide receiver Kadarius Toney, previously seen as the team’s playmaker of the future.

Toney, who has been limited this season due to injury, was sent to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a conditional 3rd-round pick and a 6th-round pick. Now, Robinson has emerged as the franchise’s clear No. 1 receiving option both now and moving forward.

Also, Wan'Dale Robinson is far and away the WR1 of the Giants.

— Jon Helmkamp (@JonHelmkamp) October 27, 2022

His standout performance vs. the Jaguars comes after Robinson hauled in his first career touchdown the week before in a three-catch, 37-yard effort against Baltimore. He suffered a knee injury in Week 1 and missed four straight games before returning in Week 6 against the Ravens.

With the 5-foot-8 receiver emerging as Daniel Jones’ favorite target, Las Vegas oddsmakers have clearly taken notice. He currently has the eighth-best odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) at +1600. Some books have him as high as 5th amongst OROY candidates and +1200 odds — and they’re going to keep shrinking, especially following today’s news.

Robinson was selected in the second round at No. 43 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft after a superstar season in Lexington. He was the first of four Wildcats selected, followed by Josh Paschal (Detroit Lions, second round), Luke Fortner (Jacksonville Jaguars, third round) and Darian Kinnard (Kansas City Chiefs, fifth round).

In three college seasons — two at Nebraska and one at Kentucky — Robinson racked up 2,2448 yards and ten touchdowns to go with 691 rushing yards and four scores on the ground. During his lone season at Kentucky, he caught a school record 104 receptions for 1,334 yards to go with seven touchdowns, rankings fourth nationally and second in the SEC in receptions per game (8.0).

He became the sixth player in SEC history to catch at least 100 passes in a season and had six 100-yard games, good for second on UK’s single-season list. He joined Randall Cobb as the only players in school history with multiple games of at least 12 receptions. Robinson finished his career as MVP of the Vrbo Citrus Bowl after setting Kentucky bowl records with 10 receptions for 170 yards vs. Iowa.

Now, the former Wildcat is taking over as New York’s top playmaker on the outside.