Last offseason was a good one for general manager Jerry Reese and the New York Giants. They hit on some big free agents, but their best value may have come from a linebacker who was primarily an afterthought.

Keenan Robinson was signed away from the Washington Redskins on a one-year deal after several injury-filled seasons. He played in all 16 games with the Giants and filled an important role as their nickel linebacker for $3 million.

Robinson played the second-most defensive snaps (70 percent) of any Giants linebacker, behind only Jonathan Casillas (72 percent). The team and coaches were happy with what they received.

LB Keenan Robinson was a pleasant surprise for the Giants, playing in 16 games and showing solid coverage skills. AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth

“He's played some good football for us. He's really bought into the culture here and into the locker room and he's been a nice player, he's played some nice football for us and we're fortunate to have him,” coach Ben McAdoo said late in the year.

Robinson, who will be 28 at the start of the season, made 83 tackles and had seven passes defended. He was an asset in coverage and rather quickly became a respected voice in the locker room. The way he handled his business was admirable.

After proving he can stay healthy, Robinson has put himself in prime position to earn the multiyear deal that was harder to attain last offseason. The Giants would like to have him back, and he would like to return. It wouldn’t be surprising if they were able to make it happen, possibly even before the start of free agency.

Free agent file

Keenan Robinson

Position: Linebacker

Age: 28 (at start of season)

Experience: Five years

Projected contract: Three years, $9 million, $5 million guaranteed

(Note: The projected contract was derived from the average of five league sources surveyed. The panel consists of a front office executive, salary cap experts and agents.)

Comparable contract: LB Vincent Rey (Bengals)

Rey was a solid contributing linebacker in Cincinnati and he received a three-year, $10.5 million deal with $3 million guaranteed last offseason. He was 28 at the time. With the cap rising (likely in the 8-percent range), Robinson should get slightly more total money and more guaranteed money.

Casillas’ deal with the Giants during the 2014 offseason was three years for $8.25 million. That's almost $3 million per season. Robinson is coming off a better year than Casillas was when he entered free agency, so the $4 million per year range appears realistic over a two- or three-year deal.

Market: Cover linebacker is a valuable commodity these days. The Giants are in need of one with Robinson a free agent. The Cowboys, Raiders and Colts also will be in the market. Robinson will have some options after a solid 2016 campaign where he proved capable of fitting in seamlessly in a new defense and locker room. He also remained healthy.

What he brings: Robinson is a smart, instinctive player who does well covering running backs and protecting the middle of the field. Even though he’s not a lockdown cover linebacker (who is?), he’s a solid player who can be trusted to do the right things on and off the field and isn’t a liability against the run.

Synopsis: When healthy, there is little doubt that Robinson can play. He showed that during his first season with the Giants. It was the first time in his five-year career he played a full 16 games. Missing games and being able to play with injuries has always been the concern with Robinson. Maybe he’s past that though now as a veteran player who embraced his role, not necessarily as a starter but a key piece on the Giants' defense.

With the Giants intent on keeping their defense together, that includes having Robinson return. He’s not a Pro Bowl player or maybe even an every-down linebacker, but Robinson is the kind of successful role player that every winning team needs.

Chances he returns to Giants: 65 percent

Robinson proved this season he can remain healthy. The Giants want to keep him and barring an exorbitant offer from another team they will likely retain his services on a multiyear (two or three years) deal. That’s a good thing because the Giants pass defense would take a major hit if he walked.