Once the offseason gets underway for the New York Giants, there will certainly be many changes to the team after they endured the worst season in franchise history, going 3-14 and suffering a franchise-record ten-game losing streak in 2024.
While the main focus for Big Blue will be finding their next franchise quarterback—whether through the draft or free agency—another lingering question concerns the future of veteran wide receiver and fan favorite, Darius Slayton. Slayton was a steal in the 2019 NFL Draft when the Giants selected him in the fifth round. Despite not having a 1,000-yard season in his six NFL campaigns, the wideout has posted four seasons with over 700 receiving yards.
However, with Slayton set to hit the open market when the new league year begins in March, there’s no guarantee the 28-year-old will be back in New York for the 2025 season. Especially after a disappointing 2024 campaign where he totaled just 573 receiving yards—down from his career-high of 770 yards in 2023. A recent Bleacher Report article named Slayton as a potential breakout player on his next team if he leaves the Giants, a suggestion that further underscores head coach Brian Daboll’s role in the team’s offensive struggles in 2024.
If Darius Slayton does thrive for another team, Daboll is in trouble
Brandon Gagnon of Bleacher Report listed NFL free agents who could "blow up" on their new teams next season, naming Slayton as a prime candidate. Gagnon pointed to Saquon Barkley’s career resurgence with the Philadelphia Eagles after leaving the Giants as evidence of what a more functional offense can do for a player’s production. While Gagnon acknowledged Slayton isn’t on the same level as Barkley, he believes the wideout could thrive in a more capable and consistent system.
"Y'all see what Saquon Barkley just did when he was finally free of the New York Giants offense? I'm not saying Darius Slayton is another Barkley, but the guy truly has the game-breaking ability to excel to a whole other degree in an offense that is even remotely capable and consistent," Gagnon wrote.
"The 28-year-old Slayton still managed to go over 700 yards four times in a six-year run with the G-Men. It's possible that run isn't over, but considering the state of the Giants at the quarterback position, he'd be smart to get out of town as a free agent in 2025. Slayton has averaged at least 14.5 yards per reception in five of his six seasons, and he's a veteran leader whose abilities span well beyond the threat he poses as a deep target. I'm imagining him with Justin Herbert and the Chargers in '25. That would be juicy."
Gagnon isn’t wrong about Slayton’s potential as a deep threat in an offense like the Los Angeles Chargers. Yes, his production dipped significantly in 2024, but he still managed over 570 receiving yards despite the Giants using three different quarterbacks under center.
That’s still impressive, and it raises the question of what Slayton could achieve with a quarterback like Justin Herbert throwing him the ball. If Slayton does end up having a sensational season on a new team, Brian Daboll could shoulder the blame for failing to maximize the wideout’s potential. As the Giants' offensive play-caller in 2024, Daboll was directly responsible for Slayton’s limited role.
While it may sting to see another offensive weapon leave the Giants in free agency and thrive elsewhere, Big Blue still has promising options at wide receiver alongside rookie phenom Malik Nabers and slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. The most intriguing of those options is Jalin Hyatt.
Hyatt showed flashes of potential during his rookie season in 2023, recording 23 receptions for 373 yards. However, his 2024 campaign was a massive step back, with just eight catches for 62 yards and no touchdowns.
Slayton’s departure could pave the way for Hyatt to take on a larger role in the offense. The talent is there, and the flashes he displayed as a rookie suggest he could become a reliable target for the Giants in 2025. If Hyatt steps up, the Giants might avoid overpaying for another wideout in free agency, ensuring the team remains focused on rebuilding the roster in other critical areas.
If Slayton thrives elsewhere in 2025, it will serve as yet another example of Daboll’s inability to maximize his offensive weapons. Whether it’s failing to properly utilize Slayton or watching Barkley and others flourish after leaving New York, the pattern is undeniable. The Giants' offensive struggles in 2024 fall squarely on Daboll’s shoulders, and if Slayton proves Gagnon right with a breakout year on a new team, it’ll be hard to argue that Daboll wasn’t a major part of the problem.