Giants draft picks 2022: New York trades back twice, selects WR Wan’Dale Robinson at No. 43

The New York Giants traded back twice in Round 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft, ending up with pick No. 43 after starting the night with the 36th overall pick. With that selection, the Giants selected Kentucky wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson.

A 5-foot-8, 178-pound speedster, Robinson is a surprising selection.

The Giants collected picks 38 and 146 (Round 5) from the New York Jets in their first move back. Then, they swapped the 38th overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons for No. 43 and No. 114 (Round 4).

In his draft guide, Dane Brugler of The Athletic said:

Robinson is hyper-quick and slippery to create pockets of separation out of his breaks and elude pursuit after the catch. He has excellent field awareness with the ball in his hands, but his routes are a little rough, and he has more career drops (11) than receiving touchdowns (10). Overall, Robinson is undersized and quicker than fast, but he is a catch-and-go creator with outstanding vision and athleticism in the open field. He has potential to be a starting NFL slot receiver and return man.

Robinson is a player we did not profile in the buildup to the draft.

Sports Info Solutions says:

Robinson projects as a solid No. 3 slot option at the next level currently with the potential to grow into a real mismatch inside as he continues to gain experience as a true receiver. Teams looking to get the most out of him will utilize him heavily underneath, on screens, and in the running game while he refines his downfield route savvy. His release suddenness can make him a reliable third down option in the short passing game. He’s less dynamic and refined as a receiver but otherwise is in a similar mold to Kadarius Toney as a prospect. Robinson also has extensive return experience through his football career, and his skill set makes him a strong candidate to immediately handle both kick and punt return duties.

Robinson caught 195 passes for 2,248 yards in three seasons with the Wildcats, averaging 11.5 yards per catch with 10 touchdowns. He also dabbled in kickoff and punt returning, with 11 career kickoff returns and six career punt returns.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said:

Robinson will be tabbed as a slot receiver but that is underselling his potential. He’s sudden and slick with an ability to make plays from a variety of alignments. He has gadget potential and can function as a dump-and-run target, acting as an extension of the running game. A lack of length and play strength could be a concern until he tightens up the route-running to prevent contested catches. He’s much lighter than Deebo Samuel, but the competitiveness, acceleration and run-after-catch talent could have teams eyeing a somewhat similar usage for Robinson in the future.

Here is more about Robinson from SB Nation’s A Sea of Blue.

Where he fits with the Giants

It is no surprise that the Giants took a wide receiver on Day 2 of the draft. It is, though, a surprise that they took this one.

The comparison to Toney might raise eyebrows, and once again fuel speculation that the Giants might be willing to listen to offers for the 2021 first-round pick, who was chosen by the previous regime.

Schoen said bluntly after the pick that “we’re not shopping Kadarius Toney.”

The Giants do have questions at wide receiver. The uncertainty around Toney. Sterling Shepard coming back from an Achilles tendon tear and being in the final year of his contract. Kenny Golladay having been unproductive a year ago. Darius Slayton having seen his production go backwards the past two seasons, and with reports circulating that he could be on the trade block.

Schoen said the Giants would have a plan for any player the team drafted. Friday night he told media that the Giants have a “very clear vision” for Robinson.

The Giants have eight more selections over the final three rounds, giving them a total of 11 in this draft. Here is what the Giants’ draft order looks like the rest of the way:

Giants round-by-round draft selections

Round 1 (No. 5) — Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
Round 1 (No. 7) — Evan Neal, OT Alabama
Round 2 (No. 43) — Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
Round 3 (No. 67) —
Round 3 (No. 81) —
Round 4 (No. 112) —
Round 4 (No. 114/from Falcons) —
Round 5 (No. 146/from Jets) —
Round 5 (No. 147) —
Round 5 (No. 173) —
Round 6 (No. 182) —

How to watch the rest of the draft

When: Saturday, April 30 at Noon ET.
TV: ESPN and NFL Network
SIRIUS: | XM: | SXM App: SiriusXM NFL Radio; and ESPN Radio
Streaming: The NFL draft can be streamed online at ABC.com, ESPN.com and NFL.com or via the ABC, ESPN and NFL apps.
Odds: DraftKings Sportsbook

Other BBV platforms

BBV on Twitter
BBV on Facebook
BBV on Instagram
BBV Radio (available on all of your favorite podcast platforms)
BBV on YouTube