5 significant questions for the NY Giants at wide receiver

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.

4. Who will be the starting slot WR?

Both Robinson and Shepard spend a majority of their time in the slot. The Giants also signed Parris Campbell and Jamison Crowder this offseason, another duo of receivers who are best suited to play in the slot. With Robinson and Shepard still nursing their ACL injuries, Campbell figures to be heavily involved and firmly entrenched as the team’s starting slot receiver.

It has even been reported that Campbell has been operating out of the backfield as a running back at minicamp. Jamison Crowder was signed by the Giants in March, but his spot on the final 53-man roster is not a guarantee, per The Athletic. 

While Campbell has an early jump on the likes of Robinson and Shepard and seems to be atop the pecking order when all three are at full strength, it will be a complicated situation when they eventually do return. It would not be a shock to see a slot-by-committee approach where all three receivers get their time to work from the slot.

3. Will Jaylin Hyatt be ready to make an immediate impact?

Jalin Hyatt was a prospect who some expected to be selected in the first round early in the draft evaluation process. However, he slid all the way to the third round, where the Giants took him with the No. 73 overall pick. Hyatt was voted to the All-American First Team as a result of the monster numbers he posted in his junior year at Tennessee. 

In a veteran-laden receiver room that also features a potential target-hog at the tight end position, it may be difficult for Hyatt to be a consistent part of the offense during his rookie season. Early reports from The Athletic indicate that Hyatt has mainly been running with the third-team offense this offseason.

One thing he brings to the table that could keep him on the field more than anticipated is his speed. Running a 4.40 40-yard dash, Hyatt has a chance to emerge as the Giants’ primary deep threat. He was regarded as one of the most explosive receivers of this draft class and for good reason:

Hyatt is a threat to score a touchdown nearly every time he gets out in open space. That is a trait that the Giants offense has sorely lacked for years. Brian Daboll, Mike Kafka, and Co. will surely find ways to incorporate Hyatt's blazing speed into their scheme now that they have a player of his caliber at their disposal.  

2. Who is the Giants WR1?

The Giants acquired one of the best receiving tight ends in the NFL this offseason when they traded the No. 100 overall pick to the Raiders in exchange for Darren Waller. The common theme for nearly every minicamp report has been just how great Waller has looked and that the stage is set for him to be the focal point of the Giants’ offensive plans. But who from the receiver corps will challenge his status as the team’s top option, if anyone?

Isaiah Hodgins landed with the Giants in Week 9 of last season and instantly became a difference-maker for the team. He started five games and played a huge role in their NFC Wild Card Round upset victory against the Vikings, converting eight receptions into 105 yards and a touchdown.

The team also re-signed Shepard as well as Darius Slayton, both of whom have spent the most time with Jones. Slayton was the only receiver of the three who received a multi-year contract extension and was also given the most lucrative contract of the bunch. Based on the commitment the team made to Slayton this offseason, it feels as though he will get the first crack at operating as the teams WR1.

1. Will the Giants pursue DeAndre Hopkins?

While the Giants have made it a priority to revamp the receiver room this offseason with a plethora of additions, the need for a clear alpha receiver still remains. Interestingly enough, there happens to be a Five-time All-Pro wide receiver available in free agency. 

DeAndre Hopkins was released by the Cardinals this offseason and has yet to land with a new team. After recent visits with both the Titans and Patriots, Hopkins remains unsigned and ESPN’s Diana Russini went as far as saying Hopkins is “trying to get more teams interested.”

While Hopkins hasn’t necessarily been linked to the Giants, Daboll didn’t shut the door on the possibility of the team exploring the idea:

It seems like a longshot at this point, but if Daboll isn’t ruling it out just yet then it’s okay for Giants fans to continue daydreaming. After signing Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract, signing one of the best receivers the NFL has to offer would be a pivotal addition. The Giants made a serious commitment to Jones and as a result they want to put him in the best position they can for him to succeed. 

Not only did the Giants commit a large sum of money to Jones, but they made Dexter Lawrence one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league while also signing Bobby Okereke to a four-year, $40 million contract.

Additionally, they are still at a crossroads with Barkley and his looming contract extension, so they may not be in position to offer Hopkins the contract he is looking for. Hopkins signing with the Giants feels unlikely, but he’d certainly be the unquestioned leader of this receivers room if he were to somehow land with Big Blue.

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