The New York Giants have a lot of work to do this offseason after finishing 3-14 last year. With free agency less than a week away, Big Blue must make several decisions to improve the team, including which free agents they want to retain ahead of 2025.
One of those free agents is veteran wideout Darius Slayton, who has been with the organization since 2019. Slayton was a fifth-round pick by the Giants out of Auburn. During his tenure in New York, he has led the team in receiving multiple times and has been one of the most consistent receivers on the roster.
Over the last few seasons, the Giants' wide receiver room has moved in a different direction. The team has significantly younger options as part of its rebuild, with the additions of Malik Nabers, Wan'Dale Robinson, and Jalin Hyatt.
Now, six years into the league and at 28 years old, Slayton is not expected to return to New York in 2025. He restructured his contract with the Giants at the beginning of last season and was rumored as a trade target throughout the year.
Slayton recently appeared on Talkin' Ball with Pat Leonard and was asked what he is looking for in free agency. He stated that his main focus is to be part of a winning and advantageous situation with whichever team he joins next. He noted that the Giants didn’t come close to making the playoffs in five of his six seasons in New York and that he would like to be part of a competitive team.
With Tee Higgins recently receiving a $26.2 million franchise tag from the Cincinnati Bengals, several teams in need of a wide receiver will have to pivot to other options in free agency. Higgins had drawn interest from multiple teams and was one of the most intriguing wideouts on the market this offseason after an impressive year with the Bengals.
Andrew Peters of Bleacher Report recently broke down the top wide receiver options in free agency for the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, and Buffalo Bills. The article listed Slayton as a player the Patriots could pursue this offseason, along with Chris Godwin and Cooper Kupp.
Is Darius Slayton a fit on the New England Patriots?
While the Patriots may not be Super Bowl contenders in 2025, the future is bright in Foxborough. New England's 2024 first-round pick, Drake Maye, showed promise in his rookie campaign at quarterback, and now, with head coach Mike Vrabel at the helm, the Patriots’ chances of returning to their winning ways and making the playoffs don’t seem out of reach.
To succeed this year, the Patriots must add weapons for Maye and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' offense. New England’s wide receiver room, which consists of DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and Kendrick Bourne, is not enough to win, but adding a player like Slayton could help.
While Slayton isn’t the most sought-after wide receiver on the market this offseason, he is an affordable option. Signing him would allow the Patriots—or any team that pursues him—to have money left to spend elsewhere in free agency. It will come down to how much Slayton is willing to embrace a veteran role on a team like the Patriots and whether he is comfortable in that situation.