he Giants just watched one of their most promising young players put together a breakout season. Now they might have to watch him sign with a division rival.
All of 5-foot-8 Wan’Dale Robinson became the shortest receiver in NFL history to top 1,000 yards in a season, stepping up in a big way after Malik Nabers went down with a season-ending torn ACL. It was a massive leap for the 24-year-old, who finally looked like the playmaker the Giants hoped for when they drafted him in the second round in 2022.
But production like that comes with a price, and it might be one the G-Men aren’t willing to pay. One scout told the New York Post that Robinson will “command $15 million to $16 million” per season, which could put New York in a tough spot.
And unfortunately, that tough spot also found its hard place, as Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine gave a nightmarish prediction for where the former Kentucky Wildcat will end up:
The price tag, the impending return of Malik Nabers and the money committed to Slayton ($16 million next season) could give the Giants pause. The Commanders, Raiders and Titans all have needs at wide receiver and over $110 million in cap space. The market could be there for Robinson to have a surprisingly big contract.
Prediction: Robinson signs a multi-year deal with the Washington Commanders
Wan’Dale Robinson projected to land with Commanders in free agency
Ballentine sees a likely scenario where Robinson ends up signing with Washington, a move that would keep him in the NFC East and create a serious problem for Big Blue.
With over $110 million in cap space and a glaring need at receiver, the Commanders can outbid most teams if they view the breakout star as a fit. And if they offer anything near the $18 million range Christian Kirk got, or the $20 million Jakobi Meyers got, New York probably won’t match it, even if they want to.
The Giants won't enter the offseason with much cap space, already shelling out a big contract for Darius Slayton last year, and will need to pay Nabers down the line.
They also hold the No. 2 pick in the draft, with a chance to trade back and grab another top receiver on a rookie deal... maybe someone like Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson. That alone could shift the balance toward letting Robinson take a drive down I-95.
Related: Giants’ updated draft pick is already pulling mock drafts all over the place
There’s still a world where the G-Men franchise tags him to buy some time and kick the can down the road. But unless they clear money elsewhere or restructure multiple deals, it’s hard to see them committing long-term, especially if the Commanders bring out the Brinks trucks.
Letting Robinson walk would sting no matter where he lands. Letting him go to Washington almost feels like another Saquon Barkley-sized nightmare waiting to happen.