What exactly do NY Giants’ have in Darius Slayton?

After an impressive rookie year, Darius Slayton’s sophomore season left much to be desired. How can the former fifth-round pick recapture the magic that made him one of the NY Giants’ most exciting building blocks?

NY Giants’ wide receiver, Darius Slayton, surprised everyone with his electrifying play his rookie season. After missing the first two games, Slayton debuted on the same day as his quarterback, Daniel Jones.

What followed will be etched into the two player’s careers forever – an exhilarating 32-31 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Slayton gave the team a taste of what to expect from him that season that day – big plays, clutch catches and solid performances.

The former Auburn Tiger would finish his rookie season as the team’s receiving leader with 740 yards – hauling in eight touchdowns as well. For a team who’s seen its fair share of misses in the draft’s later rounds, Slayton looked like a godsend.

His sophomore season got out to a fantastic start. In a match-up against one of the league’s best defenses, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Slayton and Jones’ rookie year chemistry carried over – 102 yards and two touchdowns followed.

While Slayton’s performance Week 1 looked like an omen to another great season, it ended up serving as an anomaly. After that game, he would only go over 100 yards once more, and only catch one more touchdown.

Too many times last season, Slayton was a non-factor. The Giants’ best big-play threat at wide receiver had games where he caught three of fewer passes in eleven games – even registering a game with zero catches against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Giants’ offense as a whole took a step back, but for a player who had so much promise after his rookie season and the first week of his sophomore year, it was especially disappointing.

Now, with the Giants in the market for a new play-maker at the wide receiver position, it begs the question – what exactly do they have in Darius Slayton?

Many were hopeful that Slayton would follow in the footsteps of former fifth round picks like Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill and Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs, it’s obvious he’ll never reach their level. All hope isn’t lost though – Slayton can still be a big-time player in the Giants’ future.

As the Giants look to add a receiver, whether it be in free agency or the 2021 NFL Draft, Slayton would be a beneficiary from the move. While said receiver will most likely cut into his snap-count, he’ll still see the field plenty, and should have more quality opportunities afforded to him.

The best case scenario for Slayton would be for a receiver from one of his alma-mater’s biggest rivals, the University of Alabama, to fall to his current squad in the draft. While fans would be elated with general manager Dave Gettleman turning in a draft card with either DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle on it, Slayton should be cheering as well.

With the addition of either Alabama receiver, the Giants’ offense would be transformed – draft experts have compared Smith and Waddle to greats like Marvin Harrison and the aforementioned Hill, respectively. Using the great offenses of the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs as examples, Slayton could become the Giants’ versions of players like Anthony Gonzales and Sammy Watkins.

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He wasn’t a first round pick like either player was, but combining teammate Sterling Shepard with a bonafide number one receiver acquired this off-season, Slayton could in-effect become Jones’ safety net. He won’t rack up eye popping numbers like Hill or Diggs, but his role in the offense will still be vital.

Gonzales and Watkins never lit the world on fire with their stats, but they played huge parts in bringing success to their teams – Watkins’ helping to get a Lombardi Trophy to his.

Slayton may never be a receiver who outplayed his draft position so drastically he turned into one of the league’s premier players, but a fifth round receiver with drop issues becoming a consistent threat to get behind the defense and be there for his quarterback isn’t anything to scoff at.

Slayton should be expected to fall somewhere in the middle of his rookie and sophomore season, but with another year to connect with Jones, learn Jason Garrett’s offense and adjust his game, he could surprise some people. With the focus loosened around him next season, it could be just what he needs.

When the Giants add another play-maker this off-season, the effect it’ll have on Slayton could give them two.