Giants’ Darius Slayton playing his way into big contract

New York Giants huge receiver Darius Slayton was a sizzling subject on the NFL commerce deadline however normal supervisor Joe Schoen opted to maintain him in East Rutherford.

That has been a theme for Slayton over the previous a number of years, usually discovering himself as the middle of commerce consideration and contract hypothesis.

This previous offseason, Slayton briefly held out whereas looking for a long-term provide earlier than lastly deciding on a modified one-year cope with added incentives. He wager on himself, very like operating 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 workforce 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 33rd Team believes Slayton is lastly enjoying his manner into a giant contract; one which many consider is well-deserved.

The 2025 huge receiver class is loaded with big-name gamers, and it’s one of many deeper courses we’ve seen lately.

Nonetheless, 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 in the marketplace, however he’s missed 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 wish to pay receivers who’re already 31 or older. That’s why somebody like Darius Slayton may very well be one of many greatest surprises on the huge 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 in the marketplace. Nonetheless, you may anticipate that groups shall be chasing Slayton’s upside with the hope of pairing him with a real No. 1 receiver on 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 is able to probably remove him from the Giants’ plans regardless of their overwhelming respect for him. And with quarterback Daniel Jones additionally prone to exit East Rutherford, Slayton shall be extra inclined to hunt a deal elsewhere.

If anybody deserves the massive payday, it’s Slayton.