As free agency unfolds, general manager Joe Schoen and the New York Giants have been highly productive in addressing multiple positional needs. However, there’s still plenty of work to be done.
The Giants are still waiting on veteran quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson to decide their next destination. They will also likely continue searching for a right guard to bolster the offensive line after missing out on Will Fries, who landed with the Minnesota Vikings.
New York has been active in free agency, signing Paulson Adebo, Roy Robertson-Harris, Chauncey Golston, Chris Board, James Hudson III, and Jevon Holland. But their most surprising move so far has been retaining wide receiver Darius Slayton.
The Giants selected Slayton in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Auburn. The veteran wideout has led the team in receiving multiple times and has been one of the most consistent receivers on the roster. He was expected to have interest from several different teams, but many believed he would be walking in free agency.
The 28-year-old appeared on Talkin’ Ball with Pat Leonard last week and was asked what he wanted in free agency. Slayton stated he wanted to be part of a winning and advantageous situation. The Giants made one playoff appearance in Slayton’s six seasons with the team and, after finishing 3-14 last season and currently without a starting quarterback, aren’t a contender heading into 2025.
The Giants signed Slayton for $36 million over three years, and their offer to star running back Saquon Barkley last offseason was $33 million for three years. After hearing that, Giants fans are questioning why Schoen gave Slayton essentially the same contract Barkley received from the Eagles.
1 year later, the Giants signed Darius Slayton to almost the exact same deal they refused to give Saquon Barkley 💀
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) March 11, 2025
Wild. pic.twitter.com/lLRUEY4qve
The other confusing part about this move is that the Giants needed a WR2 to complement Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson. With other impressive receivers still available in free agency, like Stefon Diggs and Amari Cooper, why would the team decide to run it back with Slayton?
Schoen and the Giants bringing back Slayton felt rushed and desperate to sign a receiver, but it doesn’t matter until the team signs a quarterback to throw him the ball in 2025. Still, some believe this was the right move for the Giants, like Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame, who gave the Slayton signing a B+.
Sports Illustrated gives Darius Slayton free agency signing a B+ grade
Verderame calls this a wise move by the New York Giants in the article. He explains that the 28-year-old is still in his prime and a perfect complement to Nabers, who is already a superstar entering his second year in the league in 2025.
Slayton’s best season was his rookie campaign in 2019, when he had 48 catches for 740 yards and eight touchdowns. Although Slayton hasn’t touched those numbers since then, he’s been consistent and has led the Giants in receiving in four of his six seasons in New York.
While all this is true, and Slayton is a talented player and likable among the fans and the media, the B+ grade seems a bit high. The fact that the Giants offered him essentially the same amount of money Saquon received from Philadelphia raises some eyebrows about Schoen’s priorities.
Over the last four seasons, Slayton has had one of the highest drop rates in the league, with 24 drops. Last year, he had seven drops on 39 receptions, which is concerning for whichever quarterback is under center for the Giants in 2025.
Giants fans should be excited about Slayton’s return in 2025, but it does feel like Big Blue rushed into acquiring a wide receiver in free agency. Schoen could have pursued better WR2 options in free agency, like Diggs, Cooper, or even DeAndre Hopkins, who recently signed with the Ravens. We’ll see what else the Giants have up their sleeve and if they continue to add to the offense in free agency.