Lost in the constant Odell Beckham Jr. rumors is the future of another New York Giants receiver and former Eli Manning target.
Darius Slayton is quietly still on the Giants’ roster, even after a season where he had his fewest catches and receiving yards since 2021. As Slayton enters his age-29 season, he’s carved out a reputation for himself as a semi-dependable receiver prone to drops.
Beggars can’t be choosers, though, and plenty of contenders are still looking for receiver depth.
If those teams can’t get that help in the form of the Bills’ Keon Coleman, then perhaps the next call would be to the Giants regarding Slayton.
Darius Slayton isn’t exactly an ideal backup plan for Keon Coleman
Coleman has battled maturity questions in his two seasons with the Bills, to the point where owner Terry Pegula said the previous coaching staff “pushed to draft” Coleman in 2024.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane later dismissed that idea and took responsibility for taking Coleman at No. 33 two years ago.
Coleman turned 23 earlier this month and has two years of team control left. There is no indication that the Bills intend to trade him ahead of Week 1.
However, ESPN’s NFL staff nonetheless suggested four hypothetical trade offers for Coleman on Wednesday, listing the Ravens, Commanders, Raiders, and Falcons as theoretical fits.
Bills reporter Alaina Getzenberg, essentially playing the role of general manager, declined all four proposed trades.
“Coleman has said he understands what is on the line this season, and the Bills are currently committed to giving him this chance,” Getzenberg wrote. “Whether it can all come together in Buffalo, however, is still a big question.”
Assuming that all four of those teams are interested in trading for another receiver, there is nothing to be lost by checking in on Slayton’s status. Fittingly, Giants general manager Joe Schoen worked alongside Beane and ex-Bills coach Sean McDermott in Buffalo.
Although Slayton had offseason core-muscle surgery, he is expected to be ready for training camp. Barring any setbacks, Slayton would likely open Week 1 still in the starting lineup.
The issue, as tends to be the case, is financial.
Slayton has nearly $10 million in guaranteed money coming his way this year, and he’s under contract through 2027. Does it really make sense to trade anything higher than a seventh-round pick for a 29-year-old with drop problems?
Coleman is far younger, though he has immaturity working against him. Slayton is a fine third or fourth receiver.
The Giants bolstered their receiver room with Calvin Austin III and Darnell Mooney in free agency. Schoen and Harbaugh then drafted Notre Dame standout Malachi Fields in the third round.
None of that means that Slayton is expendable, especially with Malik Nabers still working his way back from knee surgery.
At the same time, though, you can’t fault any team for at least exploring the possibility the Giants are open to moving Slayton.
That actually raises a fun question for Giants fans: Who will catch a touchdown first from Jaxson Dart this season? Slayton or Beckham?
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