Wan'Dale Robinson was the 43rd overall pick in the NFL Draft. (Photo by Vicky Graff)
Wan’Dale Robinson gambled on himself when he transferred to Kentucky for the 2021 season after two years at Nebraska.
He had been good at Nebraska, but not great — in large part because of the way he was being used.
Robinson was the perfect fit for new Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s offense as the featured slot receiver. Robinson responded with big play after big play and set new school records for receptions (104) and yardage (1,334). He scored seven touchdowns.
Robinson showed how durable he was against SEC defenses where he faced some of the nation’s best defenses and individual defenders. He opted to put his name into the NFL draft rather than stay at UK for another season.
Most draft analysts had him projected in the third round at best — 89th overall was the best projection I had found for him. Yet with the 43rd overall pick in the draft, the New York Giants used their second-round pick to take Robinson Friday night.
He was the ninth receiver picked in the draft in a year where it seems every NFL team is looking for a big play receiver and the Giants desperately needed help. Their receiving leaders last year were tight end Evan Engram with 46 receptions) and running backs Saquon Barkley (41) and Devontae Booker (40).
Kentucky receiver Lynn Bowden was the 80th pick in the 2020 draft, receiver Randall Cobb the 64th pick in 2011 and Craig Yeast the 98th pick in 1999. Those are the only UK receivers I could find going in the top 100 in the last 25 years and none went as high as Robinson did Friday.
Here is what NFL.com listed as Robinson’s strengths:
— Plays with ideal toughness and competitiveness.
— Gadget-guy talent for creative play-callers.
— Juice to consistently uncover on option routes.
— Leverages the coverage on downfield breaks.
— Talented with the ball, possessing excellent vision.
— Has feet to slip out of traffic untouched.
— Adequate acceleration to gain early vertical separation.
— Eludes route traffic and tracks throws effectively.
— Quick with his change of direction.
