The expectations for Giants rookies Wan’Dale Robinson, Evan Neal in NFL debut


Judging by recent comparisons, Evan Neal and Wan’Dale Robinson can be successful in Week 1 just by playing a full workload of snaps for the Giants.

Of course, expectations will be much higher than that low bar Sunday when Neal is starting at right tackle and Robinson is rotating at receiver, but the Giants haven’t had much luck getting season-opening impact out of their first- and second-round draft picks over the past three years. An injured Xavier McKinney didn’t play — rookie pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is headed down that same path — and Daniel Jones, Kadarius Toney and Deandre Baker barely contributed off the bench.

Since Saquon Barkley ran for 106 yards and a touchdown out of the gates in 2018, the gold standard is Azeez Ojulari’s three-tackle, one-sack debut, without much competition from Day 1 starters Dexter Lawrence and Andrew Thomas. So, what’s fair to expect from these two top rookies Sunday in Nashville, Tenn., against the Tennessee Titans?

“I’m comfortable with whatever they ask me to do,” Robinson said. “I’m not going to sit here and say I’m going to do so many things. Everything I can do to help us win is all I’m going to do.”

Wan'Dale Robinson at Giants practice on Aug. 5, 2022.
Wan’Dale Robinson at Giants practice on Aug. 5, 2022.
Robert Sabo

Neal’s official debut might have gotten a little easier last week when Titans pass rusher Harold Landry (12 sacks last season) suffered a season-ending injury. Neal, the No. 7-overall pick, allowed three pressures on 37 pass-blocking snaps in two preseason games but can’t be certain whether he only held his own because pass rushers showed him just basic moves. Landry’s backup, Denico Autry, should provide a smoother initiation.

“That’s what I’m waiting to see,” Neal said. “I haven’t played a regular-season game yet, so I’m excited to see what that shows. I feel like I got some good looks in preseason, good competition and a lot of good experiences to learn from, so I feel like it’ll be the same Week 1.”

Was there one particularly valuable lesson?

“I couldn’t just rely so much on just my raw athleticism or talent,” Neal said. “I had to become more of a technician. I’m more comfortable in my pass sets. I’m using my hands more, and I’m more balanced as well, but obviously I have a lot of work that still needs to be done. I feel like my game is trending in the right direction.”

Neal’s parents will be in the stands Sunday to appreciate the moment as a “testament to the hard work it took to get here,” but an entire section of Nissan Stadium could be taken over by Robinson’s cheering section. About 40 family members and friends are expected, according to his father, who also has fielded 20-30 text messages from other people in their hometown of Frankfort, Ky., planning to make the 3 ½-hour drive into Nashville.

“It’ll be a lot of emotions,” the younger Robinson said. “I’ll be excited. I’ll be a little bit nervous, I’m sure. But at the end of the day, it’s just playing football, and I can’t worry too much about that.”

Dale Robinson’s message to his son before his NFL debut is straight out of a coach’s handbook.

“The mindset my son and I have is, ‘We made it, but we ain’t made it until we’re thriving,’ ” the elder Robinson told The Post. “A lot of people get complacent like they’ve made it, but that ain’t how we roll. It’s just the beginning.”

Evan Neal at Giants practice on May 19, 2022.
Evan Neal at Giants practice on May 19, 2022.
Noah K. Murray/NY Post

Neal has plenty of support in the Giants locker room because Thomas walked in his shoes two years ago — playing tackle as a rookie first-round draft pick out of an SEC powerhouse. They will bookend the offensive line against the Titans.

“He just told me to focus on what’s going on inside — don’t really dwell or focus on what’s going on outside [the team],” Neal said. “Regardless of what type of product is put out there on Sunday, the goal is to flip the page and then focus on getting better the next week, and just continue to make positive growth as a player.”

All the Giants’ roster movement that happened during training camp already provided enough “Welcome to the NFL” moments.

“You really see it’s a business,” Robinson said. “This is really a job, and every day you really have to come out and earn it.”

Starting with game days.



Read More:The expectations for Giants rookies Wan’Dale Robinson, Evan Neal in NFL debut

2022-09-06 17:49:00

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