2 teams urged to trade for NY Giants WR Darius Slayton after slow start
The outlook of the 2024 NY Giants season looks grim after a pair of losses to open the year and a tough road matchup approaching against the Cleveland Browns. Aside from this year's No. 6 overall pick in the NFL Draft, Malik Nabers, the offense looks stagnant and has given G-Men supporters very little hope moving forward.
If Big Blue can't string together a few wins over the next handful of weeks, it might be time to initiate trade discussions surrounding some of the team's veterans. One player whose name has been mired in trade talks since the offseason is wide receiver Darius Slayton. Several receiver-needy squads around the NFL could use a player like him, so we could be seeing the final few games of the Auburn product donning a blue jersey:
Darius Slayton could be on the NY Giants trade block
"The San Francisco 49ers might want to kick the tires on Slayton now that they're set to be without receiver Deebo Samuel for the immediate future... The Steelers could also have interest in the veteran pass-catcher. Pittsburgh has jumped out to a 2-0 start, but its offense has been average at best. Justin Fields has been serviceable at quarterback, but receiver depth is still an issue."
- Kristopher Knox
On Bleacher Report's "NFL Trade Block Big Board" this week, Kristopher Knox named the 10 most likely NFL players to be traded this season. Landing on the list at No. 5 was none other than Slayton. According to Knox, some potential suitors for the wideout are the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Slayton could be a viable option for either of these teams. Deebo Samuel's annual injury absence struck early, and young signal-caller Brock Purdy needs more weapons with Christian McCaffrey already hitting IR. Meanwhile, the playoff-hopeful Steelers are sending out Van Jefferson as the WR2, which certainly isn't ideal for new quarterback Justin Fields.
Brian Daboll could look to use former Tennessee wideout Jalin Hyatt more often in the offense after only logging 12 snaps against Washington. The front office used a 2023 third-round pick on the speedster, and it would make sense if they wanted to use him more often as the team dwindles down the standings.
Slayton is tied with Daniel Jones as the longest-tenured player on the roster, and it would be upsetting to see him traded midseason. However, there is no reason for him to take targets away from younger talents like Nabers, Hyatt, and Wan'Dale Robinson if the team does not have a long-term plan for him.