There’s certainly a good chance the Giants use the No. 6 pick in next week’s draft to select a wide receiver because they believe they need a true No. 1 target and the roster doesn’t currently does not have one.
The receiver who has been with the team longer than anyone, Darius Slayton, has welcomed many youngsters to his position over the years, but it remains to be seen if he will be there for this particular rookie, if the Giants are going in this direction. .
Slayton is not participating in the offseason workout program — which is voluntary — and remains sidelined because he is seeking a new contract, according to ESPN.
Slayton, 27, is entering the second year of a two-year, $12 million contract he signed before the 2023 season.
He recently received a $2.6 million bonus and his base salary for 2024 is $2.5 million.
Now that Saquon Barkley is with the Eagles, Slayton is one of the Giants’ longest-tenured players, arriving in the 2019 draft along with Daniel Jones and Dexter Lawrence.
He’s endured his share of ups and downs during a career that has seen him fight for playing time and lead the team in receiving yards four of the last five seasons.
In four of his five seasons, his production has been remarkably consistent – between 46 and 50 catches and between 724 and 770 receiving yards. In 2023, he tied Barkley for the team high with four touchdown receptions.
He initially didn’t make much of an impression on the new regime of general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll and was passed over in the 2022 season opener.
Little by little he entered the field, his playing time increased and after this season he got a new contract.
Slayton is the veteran in a room that includes Wan’Dale Robinson entering his third year with the Giants and Jalin Hyatt heading into year two.
If Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze are on the Giants’ roster next Thursday night and one of them is the pick, Slayton’s offensive role could see a significant decline.
New York Post
