The Giants’ decision to cut Darius Slayton landed with real shock value, especially this close to their season opener against the Cowboys. Less than a week before that game, New York moved on from its longest-tenured player, a veteran receiver who was set to make $13 million this season.
Slayton’s Giants run was built on steady production rather than star power. The former fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft leaves after catching 296 of 522 targets for 4,435 yards and 22 touchdowns.
He never turned into the kind of headline-grabber some projected, but he gave the team consistent work for years and averaged 15 yards per catch in New York. He also had four seasons with at least 700 receiving yards.
Last season was his quietest yet. In 14 games, Slayton caught 37 of 63 targets for 538 yards and one touchdown.
During the final six games of the 2025 season, he topped 50 receiving yards only once. Even so, the expectation is that another team will move quickly.
He was a former team captain and has built a reputation as a dependable complementary piece who knows how to do his job without needing the spotlight.
Several teams stand out as natural fits.
Indianapolis is one of the first places that jumps out. The Colts still have Alec Pierce, but they traded Michael Pittman to the Steelers during the offseason and recently signed Keenan Allen, who was arrested late last month for suspected DUI. Adding Slayton would at least give them more receiver depth, and right now they need it.
The Jets also make sense. Garrett Wilson is the clear centerpiece there, but New York could use more help around him.
Slayton would bring depth and could ease some of the burden on Omar Cooper Jr., the 30th overall pick in April’s draft. His experience could be especially useful as Cooper adjusts to the league.
New Orleans is another spot to watch after Jordyn Tyson went on injured reserve with a right hamstring injury suffered during a joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tyson is expected to miss about two months.
That leaves rookie fourth-round pick Bryce Lance in line to start alongside Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele. Slayton might not walk in and take that job right away, but he could reduce the pressure on Lance and give Tyler Shough another real option in the passing game.
San Francisco could also enter the mix. The 49ers signed Buccaneers legend Mike Evans and brought back Deebo Samuel after losing Jauan Jennings to the Vikings in free agency and dealing with the ongoing absence of Brandon Aiyuk, who appears to have played his final down with San Francisco, if not in the NFL.
They still need more help after Ricky Pearsall was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury. Slayton would add depth and fit alongside the rest of the skill group.
New England fits for a few different reasons. Mike Vrabel already acknowledged that his team isn’t very deep, and the Patriots recently lost Kayshon Boutte in a trade to the Houston Texans.
Slayton could help fill that gap, take some of the attention away from A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, and give Drake Maye another proven target.
Dallas is another possibility, even with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens already in place. In a pass-heavy offense, extra receiver help never hurts.
And because the Cowboys open against the Giants in Week 1, there’s also the intel angle. Slayton could offer some insight into new Giants coach John Harbaugh’s offense.
Tennessee rounds out the list. The Titans need receiver help, and Slayton would reunite with offensive coordinator and former Giants coach Brian Daboll in Nashville. Two of Slayton’s best seasons came while Daboll was coaching the Giants, which makes the fit easy to see.
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