Friday has seen another addition to the Giants’ offense. New York announced the signing of veteran running back James Robinson. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport adds that it is a one-year contract (Twitter link). 
Robinson’s career has taken a much different turn than his rookie year would have suggested. He ran for 1,070 yards with the Jaguars in 2020, but the former UDFA has seen his usage and production decline since that point. He totaled 989 scrimmage yards in 2021, but the presence of a healthy Travis Etienne led him elsewhere last season.
Jacksonville traded Robinson to the Jets in October, a move which allowed him a chance to carve out a new role after Breece Hall suffered an ACL tear. The former played as a backup across four games in New York, recording just 85 scoreless yards on 29 carries (good for an average of 2.9 per rush). With Hall expected to be healthy in time for Week 1, Robinson again found himself on the move at the start of the new league year.
The Patriots inked him to a two-year deal in March, but injury problems led to his release just a few months later. Now, Robinson will aim to remain healthy during training camp and in doing so earn a role on the team’s RB depth chart. That is something which very much remains up in the air at this point, of course, with Saquon Barkley not currently being under contract.
As one of three backs who were unable to come to terms on a deal before the franchise tag deadline, Barkley has yet to sign his one-year tender. He has recently gone public about the possibility of not only holding out during training camp, but also skipping regular season games. His absence would deal a major blow to New York’s ground game, one which depended in very large part on the former No. 2 pick remaining healthy and putting together a career-year last season.
Robinson could help contribute with or without Barkley in the fold, as the list of other Giants backs include veteran Matt Breida, 2021 sixth-rounder Gary Brightwell and fifth-round rookie Eric Gray. All attention will remain on Barkley, but Robinson could establish himself as an effective rotational rushing option if he is able to remain healthy in his latest New York endeavor.
I’m also hearing giants signed Jarvis Landry? Is this true?
They signed Mr Beasley to play the slot
Why not sign Dalvin Cook? Looks like the Giants are taking the same approach as the Yankees shopping off the Clearance rack and dumpster diving for players
“Why not sign Dalvin Cook?”
Because they already have a disgruntled running back asking for a big long term deal in Saquon Barkley. How is this even a question? It’s not “dumpster diving” or “clearance rack”. It makes literally no sense for the Giants to pursue Dalvin Cook. They need a backup RB, not another marquee starter who wants $12 million+ per year.
Dalvin Cook also has some pretty serious legal issues to contend with.
He was good at one time, but he’s 34 years old. Not to mention they’ve also got about 5 other slot receivers.
Not all of them are making the roster, plus Shep and Robinson probably will not be ready when the season starts.
No Landry is unsigned