The NY Giants had one of the worst receiving groups in the NFL last season. As a result, Joe Schoen and the front office made a concerted effort to completely overhaul their wide receiver room this offseason.
Saquon Barkley, a running back, led the Giants with 76 targets. Between injuries and inconsistent play, none of the receivers were able to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. With all of the new additions made to the Giants pass-catching group, there are several significant questions at wide receiver that need to be answered:
5. When Will Wan'Dale Robinson and Sterling Shepard be ready to return?
The Giants selected Wan’Dale Robinson with the No. 43 overall selection in last year’s NFL Draft. Unfortunately for Robinson and the Giants, he was in the midst of his best game as a pro before going down with a torn ACL against the Lions. In that game, Robinson commanded 13 targets en route to a nine-reception and 100-yard performance. Being that Robinson sustained the injury so late in the season (Week 11), it would be a major surprise to see him ready to start the '23 season with the team.
Sterling Shepard is the longest-turned Giant on the team and was re-signed to a one-year contract this offseason. When healthy, Shepard has proven to be a favorite target for signal-caller Daniel Jones and that is expected to remain the case this season whenever he is able to return. Like Robinson, Shepard also sustained a torn ACL last season. However, Shepard’s injury happened nearly two months before Robinson, giving him a better chance to return to the field for the start of the new season.
According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, Robinson and Shepard are the “top two PUP candidates.” If either or both players get placed on the PUP list, they will be forced to sit out the first six games of the season. Shepard recently said he's hoping to be ready for the season-opener, but it's up in the air if that will happen or not.