Surprise Olympic Flag Football Pick? Giants WR Emerges as Unexpected U.S. Candidate
The NFL’s decision to let its players compete in flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has ignited plenty of debate about who should represent Team USA. And in a twist few expected, one of the names getting early buzz isn’t a marquee superstar — it’s a lesser-known wide receiver from the New York Giants.
While many assumed rookie standout Malik Nabers would be a front-runner, Giants.com’s Senior Managing Editor Dan Salomone looked elsewhere — turning to Wan’Dale Robinson as a sleeper pick. Salomone consulted Tara Belinsky, the team’s community and youth football manager, noting that no one is closer to grassroots football than her department, which plays a big role in promoting the game now heading to the Olympic stage.
Belinsky immediately suggested Robinson, citing his compact 5-foot-8, 185-pound frame and elusive movement — traits tailor-made for the fast-paced, non-contact format of flag football. She also mentioned return specialist Ihmir Smith-Marsette as another strong candidate, thanks to his breakaway speed and knack for evading defenders.
Smith-Marsette’s inclusion makes sense, but Robinson is the more intriguing option. Though he hasn’t broken out yet in the NFL, the flag football format could unlock the open-field ability the Giants hoped for when they drafted him in the second round back in 2022.
Robinson’s Untapped Potential Remains a Question
Robinson was expected to thrive as a shifty playmaker in space, someone who could turn short passes into big gains. But the numbers tell a different story. Last season, he averaged just 3.9 yards after the catch, according to Pro Football Reference, and has only broken 15 tackles across three seasons. The flashes of promise are there — like a dynamic play against the Cowboys in Week 4 — but they’ve been few and far between.
Despite the underwhelming stats, Robinson’s rare moments of elusiveness still give the Giants hope he can evolve into the player they envisioned. And in a flag football setting, those flashes could shine brighter.
But Is Nabers the Real No-Brainer?
Not everyone agrees with Salomone’s Robinson pick. Fellow Giants.com writer Matt Citak believes Malik Nabers is the obvious Olympic choice. Citak argues Nabers isn’t just the most exciting player on the Giants — he’s one of the most electrifying talents in the entire league.
Nabers’ explosive speed, agility, and slipperiness make him nearly impossible to contain — ideal qualities for flag football. He gave fans a taste of his potential in that format during last season’s Pro Bowl Games, where he hauled in two touchdowns and dazzled with his fluid movement in open space.
His Pro Bowl performance looked like a highlight reel from an Olympic flag football match — and it may be just the beginning.
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