Two years ago the Giants drafted Andrew Thomas fourth overall and with that number came great expectations. By midway, through the season and after competing against a murder’s row of pass rushers many were ready to proclaim a bust. Now he is considered the cornerstone of our offense.
Aaron Robinson now has the spotlight aimed at him. He is little more than a rookie this year after core muscle surgery last had him sidelined for the majority of the season. All ready the vultures circle, expecting no less than a top ten starter out of a third-round pick coming off of injury and learning a new system. A system that gives cornerbacks “out on an island” type of responsibilities. Meanwhile, many capable cornerbacks in the league would struggle with having to go man-on-man with receivers all game. To simplify we will assume the best case scenario and Adore Jackson will be matched against the opponent’s number one receiver. Let’s see what number two receivers Mr. Robinson will be likely facing.
Week One vs. Titans: Treylon Burks
Titans traded A.J Brown and immediately drafted his replacement with the 6’2” 225 18th overall pick. It could be a rough start for the 6’1” 193-pound Robinson against a player with the size to thrive on 50/50 balls.
Week Two vs. Carolina: Robbie Anderson
Anderson had an inefficient season, to say the least, which may have to do with the QB situation. He could bounce back with Baker Mayfield throwing the ball but this would be a solid opportunity for Robinson to show he belongs.
Week Three & Twelve vs. Cowboys: Michael Gallup/Jalen Tolbert
Gallup is a solid number two receiver that will be coming back from injury. If he can’t, rookie Jalen Tolbert may match up against Robinson in a battle of third-round picks. All three players are of similar size and weight.
Week Four vs. Bears: Byron Pringle & Co.
After Darnell Mooney and rookie Velus Jones Jr. in the slot, the Bear’s wide receiver corps is made up of discount-price veterans. If Robinson is smoked in this game it will likely be time for the Giants to try Darnay Holmes on the outside and either move Robinson back inside or give the rookie Cor’Dale Flott an audition.
Week Five vs. Packers: Sammy Watkins
Watkins has been around for a long time and hopefully, for Robinson, he finally loses a step this year. The major danger is how Arron Rogers is going to take advantage of Robinson’s inexperience.
Week Six vs. Ravens: Devin Duvernay
They say receivers tend to pop in their third year yet Duvernay hasn’t taken the league by storm thus far only totaling 53 receptions, 473 yards, and two touchdowns. The Ravens are primarily a running team and this game could be a reprieve after facing Arron Rogers the week before.
Week Seven vs. Jaguars: Zay Jones
Much like the Bears game, Robinson will be facing a journeyman back up and he must show he belongs in a lineup by handling things vs the Jaguars.
Week Eight vs. Seahawks: Freddie Swain/Marquis Goodwin
Of course, during a season some no-name can blast onto the scene and be a receiving phenom yet in absence of such an occurrence this should be at least the fourth game where Robinson needs to show he is a starting cornerback in the NFL. Neither of these players are game breakers and if they become one in this game it will be on Robinson. Halfway through, the season is more welcoming than one can expect for a young player to acclimate to the pros.
Week Ten vs. Texans: Nico Collins
By this time in the season, second-year Nico Collins could be a 6’4, 215 problems for Robinson yet last year he was merely a situation receiver.
Week Eleven vs. Detroit: DJ Chark
Chark is another skyscraper at 6’4 and had two solid seasons as Jacksonville’s number two receiver before getting hurt last year. We a new, possibly better team DJ could break out or slip firmly into mediocrity. This game will tell a lot about both players.
Week Thirteen & Fifteen vs. Redskins: Curtis Samuel
Samuel returns after missing nearly all of last year to injury. Prior to that, he was a serviceable second receiver. At 5’11”, 182 pounds, Samuel hopefully will have trouble getting off the line when facing Robinson.
Week Fourteen & Eighteen vs. Eagles: Devonta Smith
Devonta was the 10th overall pick in a draft class loaded with wide receivers but is projected to play second fiddle to AJ Brown who comes over in a trade with Tennessee. He will be the highest draft pick Robinson might face and perhaps the biggest problem, especially if he lets him get off the line cleanly.
Week Sixteen vs. Vikings: Adam Thielen
Thielen is a consistent and dangerous receiver with double-digit touchdowns in the last two years. He is accustomed to his quarterback and to reaping the benefits of playing off of number one receiver Justin Jefferson. Thankfully this matchup comes late in the season after Robinson has hopefully come into his own.
Week Seventeen vs. Colts: Parris Campbell/Alec Pierce
Campbell is going to get his shot at starting if he can stay healthy which he has not done playing only 15 games in three seasons. Rookie Alec Piece is a 6’3” second-round pick out of Cincinnati who could very well be starting by this time.
Season Outlook
Aaron Robinson will not be facing the challenges Andrew Thomas had to deal in his rookie year. In fact, instead of top-tier talent he could be facing more players on the downside of their careers or those like him, just starting theirs.
It will be interesting to see what the Giants do if they can’t get consistent play at the second cornerback position. Perhaps they use some zone or disguise a McKinney match-up. Nevertheless, if the Giants struggle this year at cornerback, we know for certain it will be the off-season priority. For they will be facing the AFC East and NFC West in 23’ and all the receivers it comes with.