Jets Should Look to Sign Giants Standout Free Agent

This offseason, the Jets should be looking to attack almost every position market in free agency. The Jets’ roster is perhaps the worst in football right now. The roster was the direct cause for many of the now-infamous statistics from the Jets’ embarrassing 2025 campaign. Those statistics include zero defensive interceptions (an NFL record), only 24 sacks (second-to-last), and zero 400-yard wide receivers. Sticking with that last part, the Jets need a complementary pass catcher to the returning Garrett Wilson. Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie showed promise after they were acquired via trade. However, it’s still in the air whether they can be long-term starters. This should lead them to the free agent market, where there are some intriguing options. One of the most intriguing: Giants receiver Wan’Dale Robinson.

Jets Should Look to Sign Giants Standout Free Agent

Robinson’s Career Thus Far

The Giants drafted Wan’Dale Robinson in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Kentucky. Robinson had 2,264 yards on 268 catches, including nine touchdowns in his three seasons in college. This included a stellar 2021 season in which he had 104 catches, 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns. During that season, he had PFF’s third-highest receiving grade (90.9) out of Power 4 receivers with at least 38 targets. 

Similar to his time in college, it took Robinson a few seasons to break out in the NFL. In 2022 and 2023, he totaled 83 catches for 752 yards and two touchdowns on 106 targets. In Year 3, he saw a major uptick in opportunities with 132 targets (14th in the NFL). He didn’t have elite production with these targets, though, as he was used mostly in the short part of the field. He ended the 2024 season with 93 catches for 699 yards and three touchdowns. Finally, 2025 was the true breakout year. After superstar Malik Nabers went down with a torn ACL in Week 4, Robinson stepped into the WR1 role, taking full advantage. He finished the 2025 season with 92 catches, 1,014 yards, and four touchdowns on 131 targets. Better QB play from Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston allowed him to get more looks downfield as well. Robinson finished the 2025 season with a career-high 11 yards per catch.

His Fit With the Jets

In terms of alignment, Wan’Dale Robinson is predominantly a slot weapon. In 2025, he totaled 60 catches and 675 yards when lined up in the slot. Those 675 yards were good for the second most in the NFL this season. With Robinson being able to work the slot, this frees up Garrett Wilson to be the Jets’ primary boundary receiver when he returns in 2026. However, both of these players are athletic enough to play both alignments. Robinson had 414 snaps out wide this season, which was a major uptick from 2024 (184) that coincided with his career year. This would be good news for Jets OC Tanner Engstrand from a schematic standpoint. 

Robinson also brings a great set of hands to a pass-catching room that struggled with drops this season. In 16 games this season, the Giants’ playmaker had only three drops, which was tied for the fourth fewest in the league. He shared that spot with some of the NFL’s greats in this category, including Jaxon Smith-Njigba and A.J. Brown. Comparatively, the Jets’ top two WRs for most of the season, Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie, had six and four drops this season, respectively. Wan’Dale Robinson would be very welcome in this WR room.

How Much Will the Jets Have to Pay?

Free agency should be very interesting for Wan’Dale Robinson. As a Giant, he was mostly a WR2, but he was able to produce as a WR1 last season. This could push his AAV (Average Annual Value) above $20 million with the likes of Devonta Smith, Davante Adams, and Jameson Williams. However, Robinson’s market value is around $16 million per year according to Spotrac’s calculations. One way they came up with this value was by comparing him to Bills WR Khalil Shakir, as they are similar players. The Bills recently signed Shakir to a four-year extension worth around $13 million per year. It would make sense for Robinson to eclipse that deal, as he has a 1,000-yard season on his resume. The Jets should jump on this if that is the price tag.

The Jets Should Continue to Add at WR in the Draft

Just because the Jets would have two proven receivers after a potential Wan’Dale Robinson deal, that doesn’t mean they should stop acquiring talent at the position. The Jets should look to take a shot on a Day 2 or 3 talent in this coming draft. In today’s world, every single draft is littered with talent at this position. A great example is the Rams drafting and developing Puka Nacua as a fifth-round selection. Solid options that may go outside of Round 1 may include Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt, as well as Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II.

A young wide receiver room of Garrett Wilson, Wan’Dale Robinson, a 2026 draftee, Adonai Mitchell, and John Metchie would be really fun to watch.