3. Wan'Dale Robinson, WR
The Giants had high hopes when they selected Wan'Dale Robinson in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. They wished he'd develop into a reliable slot receiver. While his rookie season was cut short by a torn ACL, Robinson now needs to prove he belongs in the Giants’ receiving corps moving forward.
After his injury-shortened 2022 campaign, Robinson’s 2023 season didn’t deliver the breakout many anticipated. The 23-year-old played in 15 games, recording just 525 receiving yards on 60 receptions with one touchdown. Though he had a career-high 115-yard game against the Green Bay Packers, it feels like Robinson hasn’t fully hit his stride. Unfortunately, 2024 hasn’t been much better; Robinson has just 227 receiving yards on 23 catches with one touchdown through 12 games.
While it’s true that poor quarterback play and an inconsistent offense haven’t helped, time is running out for Robinson to prove his value. Whether it’s Drew Lock or Tommy DeVito throwing him the ball over the final five games, Robinson needs to show he can be a key contributor for the Giants.
2. Jalin Hyatt, WR
A breakout sophomore season was widely expected for Jalin Hyatt in 2024. After a promising rookie year with 23 receptions for 373 yards across 17 games, including a 100-yard performance against the New England Patriots, many believed the former Tennessee Volunteer was poised to take the next step. Unfortunately, 2024 has gone completely off the rails for the young wideout.
Through 12 games, Hyatt has managed just seven receptions for 53 yards and no touchdowns. He’s even gone four games without recording a single catch. While Brian Daboll’s reliance on Darius Slayton has limited Hyatt’s opportunities, the 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner has shown he can be a dangerous deep threat when given the chance. He didn’t record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Tennessee for nothing.
The final five games of the season will be crucial for Hyatt to prove he belongs in the Giants' long-term plans. He has shown flashes of his potential both in college and during his rookie year, but he needs to make his opportunities count and remind the Giants why they drafted him.
1. Evan Neal, OT
Are we really surprised? Offensive tackle Evan Neal, the Giants’ seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has had a rocky tenure in New York. After showing promise during his rookie season, injuries and inconsistent effort on the offensive line have cast doubt on his future with the team. These final five games could determine whether Neal remains on the Giants’ roster beyond this season.
Neal’s time in New York has been marred by multiple stints on injured reserve and a series of poor performances. One of his most notable low points came during a primetime blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks, where the Giants allowed 11 sacks, prompting boos from fans. Injuries have been the primary issue for Neal, with ankle and knee problems carrying over into this year, causing him to miss the start of training camp and a large portion of the regular season.
The Giants have yet to see Neal at his best, and the organization would hate to see another first-round offensive lineman fail to pan out. It remains to be seen how much playing time Neal will get over the remaining games, but if he does see the field, he needs to prove he belongs in New York for the long haul.