Wan'Dale Robinson will benefit the most from Darren Waller's retirement

New York will have more than a few questions to answer in the 2024 season and now will begin the season without the most proven pass-catcher on their roster with Darren Waller officially retired. The team approached the offseason expecting the veteran tight end to make the announcement and on June 9, it finally arrived.

From a production standpoint, losing Waller should not affect the Giants too much. He was the second-leading receiver on the team in 2023 but only by default, mustering 552 receiving yards on 74 receptions with just one touchdown. The numbers did not match the name value, but a lot of that can be attributed to subpar quarterback play.

Waller did miss five games in his final season but the 12 he appeared in were still his most in a single season since his career-best year in 2020. While he struggled to make an impact on the fantasy scene, he was still the most successful and experienced skill-position player on the Giants offense.

To replace Waller, blocking specialist Daniel Bellinger will likely take over as the starter with rookie Theo Johnson behind him on the depth chart. Bellinger spent a full year as the starter in 2022 but has just 523 career receiving yards through two seasons and did not record a touchdown in 2023.

Given the rough disposition of this New York offense and the field of tight end in fantasy, Bellinger is not the player who benefits the most from Waller's retirement.

Wan'Dale Robinson will gain additional targets with Darren Waller's retirement

At first glance, Malik Nabers stands the most to gain without Waller in the picture, considering he is expected Daniel Jones' top target from day one. However, with his size and speed, Nabers figures to take up most of the downfield and outside targets which were not where Waller was being utilized.

Instead, Wan'Dale Robinson figures to take Waller's role as the short-route receiver with most of the targets in the flat and middle of the field. Robinson played this role in 2023 and split the duties with Waller, finishing second on the team with 78 receptions and third with 525 yards.

With the 31-year-old no longer in the picture, the routes will likely be given to Bellinger, who lacks the speed and separation to be the reliable target for Jones in the middle. Most of that work will now have to be done by Robinson, who projects to begin the year starting in the slot.

Jones has heavily favored the quick routes over the middle throughout his career but is anticipated to attempt even more of them in 2024. The offensive line does not appear to be much better for him and he will be coming off an ACL tear that ended his season after just six games. Quarterbacks have tended to recover well from that injury in recent years but it remains to be seen how the ligament holds up for a historically mobile passer.

A truly impactful fantasy receiver has not emerged from New York in several years, so do not expect too much of a boost for Robinson. But for as long as he can stay on the field, there may be a few matchups worth exploiting in half or full PPR leagues.