There wasn’t much that went right for the New York Giants last season. However, there were a few bright spots and one of the brightest was the emergence of rookie wide receiver Darius Slayton. Slayton, a fifth round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft developed an early chemistry with fellow rookie and fellow bright spot Daniel Jones. The Giants’ wide receiver group will enter 2020 with a ton of question marks but the continued development of Slayton could be an answer to the Giants most pressing question.
Former Giants receiver Amani Toomer came out recently and called the Giants’ receivers “lacking.” That isn’t exactly true. Filled with question marks would be a more accurate description. Golden Tate III is nearing the end of his football career but still is a threat. The question is can he still be a threat? Sterling Shepard is arguably the best receiver the Giants have at the moment. However, he is beset by concussion issues which are a real threat to his career at this point. Slayton also comes with question marks. Can he take the next step forward in a new offense?
New offensive coordinator has had his experience with talented wide receivers while coaching the Dallas Cowboys. He should be able to identify Slayton’s strengths and design plays that allow Slayton to maximize his potential. Slayton has also showed an excellent football savvy. He was often the lone target for the Giants in the passing game and still managed to put together productive games after injuries decimated an already thin receiving corps. He should be able to take the next step and emerge as the number one option in the passing game this season if all falls right.
The 23-year-old Auburn product is used to being an underdog. He was the 171st pick in the draft and the 18th receiver taken. He would finish fifth among rookie receivers with 740 yards and tied for first with eight touchdowns. Not bad for a receiver who missed the first two games of the season.
There is a drive in Slayton that pushes him. He didn’t run a large route tree at Auburn and that might have hurt him, along with the reputation that he sometimes dropped passes. Slayton came in with the Giants and worked. He learned the offense and forced the Giants to play him.
That drive that pushed Slayton from fifth rounder with special teams potential into a potential number one receiver are exactly what the Giants are looking for in their young players. He has the drive to get better. He already has the physical tools with his 4.39 40-yard dash time and his vertical leap of over 40 inches. He really opened some eyes with his performance at the NFL Combine but teams were worried about his limited experience with running routes and then there was the question of his hands. Slayton worked on his pass catching and put in an excellent performance at the Combine. Still, the stigma remained with Slayton and he entered the NFL with physical talent but lots of questions surrounding him. He answered most of the questions last season. Slayton will enter 2020 with a new question surrounding him. Can he prove that 2019 wasn’t a fluke? Can he build upon his ability and truly take the next step and become an elite receiver? Toomer might have blasted the Giants for lacking a true standout receiver like they have in years past with Toomer, Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Steve Smith, and Odell Beckham, Jr. but there is some hope here and Slayton represents the biggest wild card in the Giants’ arsenal. It is up to Slayton to prove Toomer, and the other doubters, wrong and this could very well be the year we see Darius Slayton emerge as a true number one receiver.
