After eclipsing 1,000 yards for the first time in his career in 2025, impending free agent reciever Wan’Dale Robinson is set for a significant raise when free agency opens next month.
The most logical destination for Robinson may simply be a return to New York. Robinson was a second-round pick in General Manager Joe Schoen’s first draft class and saw the field on 84.61% of offensive snaps in 2025.
While the Kentucky product would return to being the number two option at best upon Malik Nabers’ return at some point in 2026, Robinson may be better suited for a reduced role regardless. He would still provide second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart with a familiar option as the offense learns to reincorporate Malik Nabers into a new scheme.
The Giants also don’t have a ready-made replacement in waiting and were already lacking in receiver talent in 2025. Even if they were to draft a receiver such as Ohio State’s Carnell Tate or a slot-exclusive player like University of Southern California receiver Makai Lemon in the first round, they would still have an additional hole at receiver to address in free agency.
Robinson showed more vertical prowess in 2025, meaning that the Giants wouldn’t be forced to pick a certain archetype of receiver in the draft should he return.
For his part, Robinson expressed interest in returning to the Giants next season in an article by ESPN Giants writer Jordan Ranaan, but understands that a reprise in New York may not be in the cards.
“I love New York and this is the place that drafted me,” Robinson said. “I feel like I have good chemistry with Jaxson [Dart] and all of my teammates that I’ve been here with and I’ve spent the last four years of my life here. So it’s a lot easier said than done just to get up and move and go somewhere else. So I would like to stay here, but at the end of the day, if it’s not the right place then we’ll see what happens.”
Outside of a return to New York, the Titans stand as a distinct possibility following former Giants head coach Brian Daboll’s hiring as offensive coordinator in Tennessee.
Tight end Chig Okonkwo led the Titans with 560 receiving yards, demonstrating just how mediocre the Tennessee receivers’ room was in 2025. That mark left him outside of the top 15 amongst the position in the NFL. Fourth-round rookie Elic Ayomanor topped the receivers with 515 yards, good for only 81st in the league. Robinson reached nearly double that output last season.
While Robinson wouldn’t provide a true number one option, he would provide former first-round pick Cam Ward with a reliable safety blanket with familiarity in Daboll’s system.
Elsewhere in the AFC, the New England Patriots could choose to upgrade in the slot over DeMario Douglas if they strike out on more impactful trade targets, such as A.J. Brown.
The Commanders could try to steal Robinson from a division rival, and HC Dan Quinn and co. should have plenty of familiarity with Robinson after seeing him accumulate 137 yards and two touchdowns over his last four contests against Washington. Robinson could be an alternative if they allow Deebo Samuel to walk in free agency.
The Raiders and new HC Klint Kubiak could also make a run at Robinson. Kubiak demonstrated with Jaxon Smith-Njigba that he can maximize former slot receivers and convert them into more well-rounded options. While Robinson isn’t in the same echelon as JSN, he would still provide likely first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza with an experienced option who has improved in each season of his NFL career and may still be on the rise.
Robinson’s new contract is likely to be in line with four-year/up to $60.2 million extension ($32 million guaranteed) Khalil Shakir received from the Buffalo Bills last offseason. That contract made Shakir one of the highest paid slot receivers in football.
While Shakir produced more consistently than Robinson leading up to the signing of that deal, Shakir hasn’t reached the same peak as Robinson.
Spotrac places Robinson’s market value in the same ballpark but values him a bit more, predicting a four year/$70,568,000 contract.
Final prediction: Wan’Dale Robinson re-signs with the New York Giants for four years and $65 million ($35 million guaranteed).