Giants receiver Calvin Austin III catches a pass during OTAs
Giants receiver Calvin Austin III catches a pass during OTAs
The Giants lost 2025 receiving leader Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency and decided they could replace him with more speed for less money.
Calvin Austin III signed a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million. New York Post reporter Ryan Dunleavy said on the Talkin’ Giants podcast that the organization views Austin as its replacement for Robinson, who signed with Tennessee.
Austin has played 48 NFL games with 16 starts. He has 84 catches for 1,100 yards and eight receiving touchdowns, plus 639 yards and a touchdown as a punt returner.
The Giants are asking him to turn a limited Pittsburgh role into a larger one in New York.
Giants receiver Calvin Austin III runs with the ball in a playoff game
Calvin Austin III runs after the catch during last season's AFC playoffs.
The Giants are paying for speed and flexibility
Austin is not a copy of Robinson. He is faster, more dangerous down the field and less proven as a high-volume slot target. That difference is the point.
Robinson caught 92 passes last season, but most of his work came close to the line of scrimmage. Austin averaged 13.1 yards per catch across his first four seasons. He can run away from a defensive back and force a safety to respect the deep part of the field.
The Giants can use him in the slot, send him outside and put him on punt returns. That gives John Harbaugh another way to manufacture field position without locking Austin into one job.
I like the price. I am less certain about the replacement claim.
Austin has never caught more than 36 passes in a season. Robinson caught 92 passes for 1,014 yards last year. The Giants still need somebody to win the short, routine routes that keep an offense on schedule.
Austin does not have to match Robinson catch for catch if his speed produces more explosive plays. He needs to stay healthy, earn Jaxson Dart’s trust and show he can handle more than a package role.
The Giants made a cheap bet on a player with an obvious NFL skill. Camp and the preseason will show whether they found a bargain or left themselves short in the slot.