THE TONEY FILE
AP Second-team All-American, 2020
First-team All-SEC, 2020
Set Giants single-game rookie record (189), 2021
By Lenn Robbins
When a team uses its first-round pick on a player, the expectation is for that rookie – unless it’s a quarterback who needs developing - to make an impact. Giants wide receiver/returner Kadarius Toney didn’t do that.
The quick-twitch playmaker from Florida began the season on the COVID-19 list and suffered an oblique injury that kept him out of four games. And the Giants didn’t exactly do a great job of getting him the ball. He had 43 touches in 10 games.
In one of those games, Toney was exceptional. He had a franchise rookie record of 189 yards on 10 catches, breaking the record of 185 yards set by Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014. That’s the kind of protection the Giants need from Toney if they want to have an offense that can keep pace in the high-scoring NFL.
It’s also what Toney wants for himself.
“That’s the mindset, to do it every game,” Toney said. “I wasn’t probably available last year to do it every game. It’s just all about the approach.”
The Giants receiving corps has the potential to be good this season. Rookie Wan’Dale Robinson joins Kenny Golladay and Toney. Golladay also is looking for a bounce back season and Robinson wants to make a name for himself.
The key is to do it every game.