Pro Football Network lists this wide receiver as Giant most likely to regress

Pro Football Network recently identified a player from each NFL team who might experience a regression in the upcoming season. For the New York Giants, wide receiver Darius Slayton was highlighted as the candidate. As we explore this prediction, it’s important to reflect on Slayton’s contributions and consider the recent changes to the Giants’ roster.

Here’s what Pro Football Network had to say about Slayton:

“Darius Slayton apparently wants a new contract, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen this offseason. Instead, the Giants have added several wide receivers in 2024, including first-round pick Malik Nabers.

Although Slayton led the Giants in receiving yards last season, that’s not expected to be the case moving forward.”

Slayton’s career with the Giants

Darius Slayton was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Over his career with the team, he has been a consistent target for Daniel Jones and the rest of the Giants’ quarterbacks. Here’s a look at some of his key stats:

• 2019 Season: Slayton burst onto the scene with 48 receptions for 740 yards and 8 touchdowns, leading the team in receiving touchdowns.
• 2020 Season: He followed up with 50 receptions for 751 yards and 3 touchdowns, showing his ability to stretch the field.
• – 2021 Season: Despite an injury and dip in production, he still managed 26 receptions for 339 yards and 2 touchdowns. Started only five games.
• 2022 Season: Slayton bounced back with 46 receptions for 724 yards and 2 touchdowns, proving to be a reliable deep threat for Jones.
• 2023 Season Tied career-high with 50 receptions while reaching a new bests with 770 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The impact of new draft picks

The Giants have invested heavily in their receiving corps over the past few drafts. In 2022, they selected Kentucky’s Wan’Dale Robinson, and in 2023, they picked Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt. This year, they added LSU’s Malik Nabers to the mix. Each of these players might be played over Slayton, who was drafted by former GM Dave Gettleman and head coach Pat Shurmur, not current GM and head coach Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll. Playing time aside, Nabers and Robinson should commands a high amount of targets if both are healthy.

What this means for Slayton

The influx of young talent at the wide receiver position suggests that the Giants are looking to diversify their offensive options. While this could mean fewer targets for Slayton, it doesn’t necessarily rule him out from receiving substantial playing time. Here are a few factors to consider:

• Experience and chemistry: Slayton has established chemistry with the Giants’ quarterback Jones and understands the offensive system, which could keep him in the rotation.
• Injury and depth: Injuries are a part of the game, and having a reliable veteran like Slayton provides valuable depth to a young wide receiver room. His injury history is much better than some past Giant offensive weapons.
• Role specialization: Slayton’s ability to stretch the field might still be utilized in specific packages and situations, especially on deep routes and third-down conversions.

While the addition of new talent might suggest a potential regression for Darius Slayton, his experience and skill set could still make him a valuable asset for the Giants. It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff integrates these new receivers and how Slayton adapts to the evolving talent within the position group.