Report: Wide receiver DeMarcus Robinson could be a Giants free-agent target

Wide receiver is an underrated need for the New York Giants heading into the 2020, and a published report on Wednesday indicated that the Giants might look to bolster that position in free agency by pursuing DeMarcus Robinson of the Kansas City Chiefs.

A 2016 fourth-round pick by Kansas City, Robinson caught 32 passes in 55 targets (58.2 percent completion rate) for 449 yards (14.0 yards per catch and four touchdowns last season. Robinson has 75 catches for 949 yards (12.7 yards per catch) and eight scores over the past three seasons.

The 6-foot-1, 203-pound 25-year-old is overshadowed in Kansas City by wide receivers Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Mecole Hardman, as well as star tight end Travis Kelce.

The Giants could be looking at Robinson as a player with untapped potential. Here is what Pete Sweeney of SB Nation’s Chiefs website, Arrowhead Pride, told me about Robinson:

“Interesting player. Can play both outside and inside. Can thrive in a secondary role as he has had in Kansas City but I don’t see him as a No. 1 or No. 2. He might end up getting paid like that though if he drums up enough teams.

“A rookie with a couple hundred less snaps in Hardman outproduced him.”

In a post on Arrowhead Pride that offered more information about Robinson, Sweeney dropped the following video:

It seems that former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson is in the “Robinson can be more than a backup” camp.

If the Giants are indeed going to chase Robinson, they could face competition from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Why the Giants need wide receiver help

When I have written in the past that wide receiver might be in play for the Giants with their first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, especially in trade down scenarios, the mere suggestion of the Giants using their first pick on a wide receiver has been scoffed at by some.

Reality is, though, the Giants have to address the position somehow. They have very little certainty at that spot.

Darius Slayton is coming off a promising rookie season. Can the Giants really count on him to develop into a No. 1 receiver?

Sterling Shepard has always been a good complementary receiver, but the pair of concussions he suffered last season make him a health risk. Golden Tate will be 32 next season, and how many more truly productive seasons he has left is anyone’s guess.

Cody Latimer, Russell Shepard, Corey Coleman and Cody Core are all free agents. Da’Mari Scott is a question mark.

So, yes, the Giants have a need to supplement the wide receiver group.

Should a player like Robinson be on the Giants’ wish list?