Giants show desperation by signing a third ex-Steelers wide receiver

Even with a questionable situation at the wide receiver position, the Pittsburgh Steelers had no interest in bringing back veteran WR Allen Robinson II. Omar Khan traded for Robinson just before the 2023 NFL Draft last year, but his lone season in Pittsburgh did not go as they had hoped.

Despite being credited with 17 starts, Robinson reeled in just 34 receptions for 280 yards and failed to record a touchdown. This equated to a dismal 5.7 yards per target in the passing game and a lowly 75.2 quarterback rating when targeted in 2023.

Robinson was a former second-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars back in 2014. His lone Pro Bowl honors came nearly a decade ago when he raked in 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns in his second season in 2015.

Those days are long gone. Now in his 30s, Robinson was sitting in free agency before the New York Giants snatched him up. The Dan Salomone of the Giants' official website announced the signing on May 9th.

Giants and Steelers are proof that wide receivers are in high demand

It's perfectly fair to call this a desperation move by New York. Though they took Malik Nabers early in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the rest of their receiving corps consists of players like Darius Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Isaiah McKenzie, and Isaiah Hodgins.

Ironically, the Giants already had former Steelers WR Gunner Olszewski on their roster and they inked Miles Boykin to a deal during the 2024 offseason. Allen Robinson becomes the third ex-Steelers receiver they have signed since the 2023 season.

While it might seem like there are hundreds of capable receivers out there and that the position is easy to find, the NFL has shown the premium the place on the position. Every team needs 3-4 good receivers on their roster for their offense to function effectively (unless, of course, you have an other-worldly talent like Patrick Mahomes).

This year, it's easy to see how teams like the Giants and Steelers will be held back by their receivers. Though each team now possesses a No. 1 option, the poor depth has both teams searching for scraps with players like Robinson and Boykin for New York and Scotty Miller, Quez Watkins, and Van Jefferson for Pittsburgh.

Receivers get snatched up quickly in free agency and paid a lot of money. With the free agent WR pool completely picked through, the Pittsburgh Steelers would have to make a trade for a receiver at this point if they want to add a notable upgrade at the position.