NY Giants: Evaluating all of the rookies’ 2019 seasons

“A Rising Star” – WR Darius Slayton

Following the conclusion of the 2019 season, I think one of the most underrated players on the NY Giants offense  – and the entire NFL in general – was rookie wide receiver, Darius Slayton. In fact, I continue to believe that the selection of Slayton in the fifth round was an absolute steal – and one Dave Gettleman and his front office certainly deserve immense credit for drafting.

Through two starts from Eli Manning and twelve more with Daniel Jones, Slayton racked up a total of 740 receiving yards on 48 receptions with an average gain of 15.4 yards. He also caught eight touchdown passes, which set the Giants franchise record for touchdowns by a rookie and tied for most rookie touchdown receptions in the NFL this year alongside Tennessee Titans rookie WR, A.J. Brown.

To put his on-field accomplishments into perspective, the first wide receiver selected in the 2019 NFL Draft was Marquise Brown by the Baltimore Ravens with the 25th pick. With Lamar Jackson as his quarterback – arguably this year’s NFL MVP – Brown recorded a total of 584 receiving yards on 46 receptions with an average gain of 12.7 yards. He also caught a total of 7 touchdown passes.

The fact that Slayton played most of this season with a rookie quarterback, his numbers also highlight a noteworthy connection with Daniel Jones, marking a promising play-making relationship that can benefit their offense for years to come.