One of the biggest strengths for the NY Giants is the team's promising receiving corps. Led by No. 6 overall pick Malik Nabers, longtime Giant Darius Slayton, and young WRs Wan'Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt, there are plenty of options for quarterback Daniel Jones to throw to this upcoming season. However, general manager Joe Schoen made an under-the-radar signing by adding 30-year-old WR Allen Robinson.
A three-time 1,000-yard receiver, he was once a star player for the Jaguars and Bears. His production has dropped off in recent years, reeling in 67 catches for 619 yards over the past two campaigns across short stints with the Rams and Steelers. But now, Robinson is looking to take on a new role — as a mentor for his new squad's inexperienced wideouts.
WR Allen Robinson embracing mentor role in first year with NY Giants
"I've gone through so many different things in my career from being drafted, traded, franchise tag, injuries, and everything like that. Being able to have the perspective of all those different things and then being able to get around young guys, and really spread my knowledge, spread my experience and really kind of help elevate the young guys each and every day - whenever you're checking those boxes off and helping young guys check those boxes off, you do the same thing for yourself as well."Allen Robinson via Giants.com
From his words, Robinson sounds like he knows he will not be seeing the field too often this season. He is slated as the fifth or sixth WR on the depth chart. Instead, he hopes to contribute in other ways, such as showing the ropes to the younger guys with less experience.
The former Penn State WR has undergone a tremendous amount of adversity in his decade-long career. After three promising years in Jacksonville, he tore his ACL in the 2017 season opener, dealing with more injuries during his time in Chicago. And just one year after the Steelers traded for him, he was released this past March. Robinson certainly has some stories he can recount with his teammates.
Considering NY's top four receiving options have played 112 combined games, no player can provide the insight and knowledge that Robinson has. He has appeared in 127 contests since 2014, and this is his third team in as many years.
Seeing Robinson embrace his mentor role with his new team is a welcoming sight for Big Blue supporters. NY invested a lot in Nabers, Robinson, and Hyatt, and they will need someone to guide them. Robinson's days of playing at a Pro Bowl level might be over, but he still has redeeming veteran qualities that should take the young Giants' WR room to the next level.