3 young NY Giants offensive players who must step up in 2021

WR Darius Slayton

Perhaps the hype train rolled out of the station too quickly for Slayton, the NY Giants’ fifth-round pick in 2019.

Slayton, one year removed from a 740-yard and eight-touchdown 14-game rookie campaign, Slayton managed to stay healthy for an entire season in 2020 but caught just two more passes than he did as a rookie for 11 more yards but just three total touchdowns.

If the Giants were counting on Slayton to emerge as a true No. 1 wide receiver or even a deep threat capable of altering the outcome of a game, his play did not reach either of those levels in 2020.

There is going to be plenty of pressure, and the organization has plenty of motivation, to acquire a marquee free agent wide receiver and also invest an early-round draft pick in the position this spring. Slayton might just be best suited to be a supporting role player in the passing game rather than its star attraction.

If Slayton’s first two seasons are any indication, he is a fine third option in most offenses, second in some, but if this offense is going to manage to be anything close to prolific, he is going to need to elevate his game significantly.