Daniel JonesDarius SlaytonDavid SillsKadarius ToneyKenny GolladayNew York GiantsRichie James

What can we expect from Giants wide receivers?

Giants

The New York Giants won’t win a Super Bowl this year, but that’s okay, they’ve already won an award.

 

The worst contract of the millennium award has been awarded to Kenny Golladay, the Giants No. 1 receiver. New York signed the downfield threat to a four-year, $72 million deal and regretted it quicker than you can say “Daniel Jones fumbled.”

With a bunch of names hungry from targets, a new regime, and a quarterback in a pivotal year, it isn’t entirely clear how the Giants wide receivers will produce. Still, their production can help make or break the first year of the Joe Schoen administration.

 

How will New York’s wide receivers stack up?

 

For now, Golladay is locked into a starting role. He’s likely better than his 37/521/0 slash line from a year ago, and it’s almost impossible to move on from that albatross of a contract. He’ll start as the team’s X receiver and should see more red zone targets than last season.

Elsewhere, things get cloudier, but much more hopeful. Kadarius Toney flashed in his rookie season, carving up man coverage and creating explosive plays when healthy. He’s experienced the rollercoaster of Giants fandom, being seen as a scapegoat and a savior to the receiving corps in a span of a few short months. He’ll likely start at the Z spot, health permitting, with looks inside and in the backfield, too.

Second-round rookie Wan’Dale Robinson quickly proved his worth this summer and has essentially locked in the starting slot receiver spot. The Giants supposedly over-drafted the gadget player, but he’s had an inspiring start to his career, even if the games haven’t mattered yet. 

Splitting reps with him and Toney will be Sterling Shepard. The veteran is a nice second option, but health continues to get in the way, headlined by an Achilles tear late last year. Once he’s back, he’ll act as a security blanket for Jones, potentially mitigating the absence of a strong starting tight end.

The list of receivers seeing significant time all have specific skill sets, but it is hard to pinpoint exactly who will lead the group. Robinson and Toney have upside, but overlapping strengths mean either can be taken off the field in 12 personnel. 

Furthermore, it remains possible that New York’s depth receivers gain steam as the season rolls along. Head coach Brian Daboll is comfortable with David Sills and Richie James has special teams upside that can lend itself to manufactured touches. The big-bodied Darius Slayton may push Golladay for targets if last year’s struggles persist.

Ultimately, this many names and no true headliner makes it feel as if no one emerges as a legitimate top option by the end of the year. 

There are playmakers, but can they stay healthy for extended periods of time? What does Toney look like after 100 targets?

It’s not a league-worst unit by any means, but the Giants could supplement their weakness at receiver elsewhere. Easy targets for running back Saquon Barkley give Jones and New York reliable access to consistency and potency. 

If this unit truly struggles to separate, both from opposing defenders and mediocrity itself, Barkley will be the main beneficiary. Consider taking the over on DraftKings’ 1,300.5 total yards prop for the Giants running back.

author
Anthony Licciardi
Sports Journalist
Anthony Licciardi is a long-suffering fan of the New York Mets, Jets, and Knicks. He aims to build a smarter generation of sports fans and writes to distract himself from the daily happenings of his favorite teams. In his spare time, he’s knee deep in Google Sheets looking for some statistical edge on coming betting action. With former bylines at Pro Football Network, Cowboys Wire, and Around The Block Network, Anthony has experience wri
Interests
NFLNBAMLBNew York KnicksNew York MetsNew York Jets
Posts at betbasics
160 Posts