The Giants have a young, explosive group
The way in which he has re-shaped the wide receiver position is perhaps Joe Schoen’s greatest success as general manager of the New York Giants.
After drafting Daniel Jones No. 6 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, Gettleman set about tryin to build a dynamic post-Odell Becham Jr. era receiving corps for his new quarterback. He never succeeded.
The best Gettleman ever did was to select wide receiver Darius Slayton in Round 5 of the same draft in which he took Jones.
- The 2019 free-agent signing of Golden Tate was a flop.
- Drafting Kadarius Toney in 2021 after trading down and passing on edge defender Micah Parsons and offensive tackle Rashawn Slater was an unmitigated disaster.
- The massive overpay of Kenny Golladay to a four-year, $72 million contract ($40 million guaranteed) was another disaster. Golladay caught 43 passes in two seasons, just six in his final year.
Current roster: Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Players drafted since 2022: Wan’Dale Robinson (Round 2, No. 43, 2022) | Jalin Hyatt (Round 3, No. 73, 2023) | Malik Nabers (Round 1, No. 6, 2024)
Biggest free agent acquisitions: Isaiah Hodgins (2022 waiver claim)
Biggest losses: Kadarius Toney
Schoen managed to find a taker (the Kansas City Chiefs) willing to part with a third-round pick for Toney. Slayton is still producing for the Giants, albeit for perhaps only seven more games. And Schoen has used the draft to build a dynamic young receiving corps that, at least until they have to fork over mega-dollars to Nabers in a few years, isn’t costing the Giants a ton of money.
Nabers is a special talent. He has 61 catches, which is third in the league, and 607 receiving yards (11th) despite missing two games. He is on pace for 114 receptions, which would break Steve Smith’s 2009 franchise record of 107, and 1,138 receiving yards.
Wan’Dale Robinson is not an explosive downfield target, handicapped in that regard by his 5-foot-8 stature and 27⅝-inch arms. He is an effective underneath, chain-moving slot receiver and valuable part of the Giants’ offense.
There is a compelling argument to be made that Schoen picked the wrong receiver when he took Robinson. George Pickens was taken No. 52 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, nine picks after Schoen manuevered the draft board to pick Robinson.
The 6-3, 200-pound Pickens had 1,140 receiving yards last season on 63 catches. Robinson had 525 on 60 receptions. Pickens averages 16.6 yards per catch over his career. Robinson averages 8.3. Pickens has 11 receiving touchdowns to Robinson’s four.
Pickens’ personality can sometimes be a lot to handle. His size and athleticism, though, allow him to make plays Robinson simply can’t.
Jalin Hyatt has only five receptions in what has been a frustrating sophomore season, but he is still one of the team’s youngest players at 23 and there is still time for him to become a reliable big-play wide receiver.
The verdict
Excellent overall work by Schoen. I would still have preferred Pickens to Robinson, but the overarching accomplishment is that the Giants have the best group of receivers they have had in many years.
It will be interesting to see if they can keep Slayton, a free-agent-to-be this offseason. If they can’t, will they entrust replacing him to Hyatt or will they use premium draft or financial resources to add another player?
