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Comparing Darius Slayton’s rookie year to past NY Giants greats

By Connor McJunkin

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 09: Darius Slayton #86 of the New York Giants makes a first down reception ahead of Ronald Darby #21 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 09: Darius Slayton #86 of the New York Giants makes a first down reception ahead of Ronald Darby #21 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

3. Darius Slayton (2019) vs Hakeem Nicks (2009)

By far the closest comparison we’ve seen to Slayton’s rookie season, Hakeem Nicks was considered one of the best receivers in the 2009 draft class and was taken with the 29th overall pick by the G-Men out of North Carolina.

After losing Plaxico Burress, the NY Giants were in need of a big-body receiver that could cause mismatches in the secondary, and that’s what they found in Nicks.

Slayton’s rookie numbers are almost identical to Nicks, who finished 2009 with 47 receptions, 790 yards, and 6 touchdowns.

Nicks and Slayton both played 14 games and each recorded two games with over 100-yards receiving.

Slayton posted 121-yards vs the Jets in Week 10 and a career-high 154-yards vs the Eagles in Week 14. Nicks tallied 114-yards in a Week 6 matchup with the Saints and 110-yards in a Week 14 game vs the Eagles as well.

Both were fairly consistent throughout their rookie campaigns in terms of production, with each recording just two games where they failed to record more than one catch. Slayton did have a 10-catch performance in his game vs the Jets while Nick’s season-high for receptions was 6 vs Carolina in Week 16.

One final note between these two rookie seasons is Slayton’s three multi-touchdown performances compared to none for Nicks, who hauled in a single receiving touchdown in six different games.

While it’s untold what Slayton’s career holds moving forward, we know what happened with Nicks. Over the next two seasons, he would light the league on fire with over 2,100 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns – including a handful of memorable moments during the 2011 Super Bowl run.

Unfortunately, Nicks’ career in the Meadowlands ended as fast as it started. After battling injuries and seeing a decline in production, Nicks would record just over 1,400 yards and 3 touchdowns in his final two seasons with the NY Giants before being released in 2014.

One of the most promising receivers from the 2009 draft class would retire after just seven years, scoring 24 of his 31 career touchdowns in his first three seasons.

Nicks is currently No. 9 on the franchise’s all-time receiving yards list with 4,676 yards and No. 10 in receptions with 318, marks that would take roughly six years for Slayton to surpass based on his rookie season numbers.

Advantage: Draw

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