New York Giants vast receiver Darius Slayton was a sizzling matter on the NFL commerce deadline however common supervisor Joe Schoen opted to maintain him in East Rutherford.
That has been a theme for Slayton over the previous a number of years, typically discovering himself as the middle of commerce consideration and contract hypothesis.
This previous offseason, Slayton briefly held out whereas in search of a long-term supply earlier than lastly selecting a modified one-year take care of added incentives. He wager on himself, very like working again Saquon Barkley did a yr prior, and now it seems to be paying off.
Slayton has 32 receptions for 469 yards and one landing in 9 video games performed. His 469 receiving yards are second on the group and his 14.7 yards per reception tops all Giants pass-catchers.
At his present tempo, Slayton will end the season with roughly 834 receiving yards, which is barely greater than his profession common. It’s additionally a testomony to his exceptional consistency.
Marcus Mosher of The thirty third Workforce believes Slayton is lastly taking part in his approach into a giant contract; one which many imagine is well-deserved.
The 2025 vast receiver class is loaded with big-name gamers, and it’s one of many deeper lessons we’ve seen in recent times.
Nevertheless, accidents are already an element. Stefon Diggs (torn ACL) and Chris Godwin (dislocated ankle) suffered season-ending accidents in 2024. Tee Higgins is the highest receiver available on the market, however he’s missed a superb chunk of this season with a number of lower-body accidents.
Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, and Keenan Allen are different former No. 1 receivers anticipated to hit the market. Nonetheless, they’re all getting older, and most groups don’t prefer to pay receivers who’re already 31 or older. That’s why somebody like Darius Slayton could possibly be one of many largest surprises on the vast receiver place in free company.
We noticed Darnell Mooney earn a pleasant contract ($13M/yr) from the Falcons regardless of totaling simply 414 yards through the 2023 season. Slayton has already surpassed these numbers in 2024, however he brings an identical dynamic as a big-play service provider who can win down the sphere.
Slayton turns 28 in January, so he’s not the youngest receiver available on the market. Nevertheless, you possibly can count on that groups will probably be chasing Slayton’s upside with the hope of pairing him with a real No. 1 receiver on a superb offense. With Jerry Jeudy incomes a $17.5 million contract final offseason, search for Slayton’s numbers to be related.
Mosher places Slayton’s projected AAV at $17 million per season, which can seemingly get rid of him from the Giants’ plans regardless of their overwhelming respect for him. And with quarterback Daniel Jones additionally more likely to exit East Rutherford, Slayton will probably be extra inclined to hunt a deal elsewhere.
If anybody deserves the large payday, it’s Slayton.
