This New York Giants wide receiver move could be significant in more ways than one.
The New York Giants found their Wan'Dale Robinson replacement on Friday evening, signing former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III to a one-year deal.
Austin spent the first four years of his career with Steelers, most recently logging 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games.
But make no mistake: Austin represents a dynamic weapon who should absolutely help Jaxson Dart, and he also does not preclude the Giants from also nabbing Carnell Tate (or another wide receiver) in the NFL Draft.
New York already has Malik Nabers on one side, and it just swapped out Robinson for Austin in the slot (and at a far cheaper rate). Now, the Giants need to find an X-receiver, and names like Tate and Denzel Boston could be the answer.
Tate is widely viewed as the best receiver in this year's draft class, and the 6-foot-4 Boston — who could slip to Big Blue at No. 37 — is immensely talented himself, regardless of his shaky showing at the Scouting Combine.
If the Giants do this right, they could end up with an absolutely lethal aerial attack so long as Dart takes a step forward in 2026.
Calvin Austin III. Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images.Remember: New York also signed tight end Isaiah Likely, giving the team a nice duo of Likely and Theo Johnson at the position.
Throw a dominant X-receiver into the mix, and suddenly, the Giants' offense will be very, very scary.
The Jeremiyah Love noise still exists, but I am personally not buying it. I don't think New York is going with a running back. I think the Giants will swap between offense and defense with their first two picks, but which side comes first remains to be seen.
Either way, the G-Men need to come away with a receiver in one of the first two rounds. Tate would be fantastic at No. 5, and Boston would be a potential steal with the 37th overall selection.
Austin turns 27 years old later this month, so he is still fairly young and will have a chance to grow with Dart. He is also two seasons removed from finishing with 548 yards and averaging 15.2 yards per catch, so there is reason to be excited.
I absolutely love what New York has done in free agency this month, but the offseason won't be complete without a terrific NFL Draft.
That means actually providing Dart with another weapon — preferably a big-bodied one — to complete the offense.
If the Giants can do that, something very special could be brewing in the Big Apple.
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