The Giants made a jolting move just days before their season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, cutting veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton.
Slayton, 29, was the longest-tenured player on the roster and was set to earn $13 million this season. A fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, he spent his entire New York run producing steady numbers: 296 catches on 522 targets for 4,435 yards and 22 touchdowns.
He never turned into a marquee star, but he carved out a reliable role and did it with real efficiency. Slayton finished with four seasons of at least 700 receiving yards and averaged 15 yards per catch during his time with the Giants.
His most recent year, though, was his quietest. In 14 games, he hauled in 37 of 63 targets for 538 yards and one touchdown. Over his final six games of the 2025 season, he topped 50 receiving yards only once.
Even with that dip, Slayton figures to draw interest quickly. He was a former team captain and has built a reputation as a dependable complementary receiver who can handle his assignment without needing the offense to revolve around him.
Several teams fit as possible landing spots.
The Indianapolis Colts jump out first. They still have Alec Pierce, but they lost Michael Pittman when they traded him to the Steelers during the offseason.
The Colts also recently signed veteran Keenan Allen, who was arrested late last month for suspected DUI. At minimum, Slayton would give Indianapolis more receiver depth, and that’s something the team badly needs.
The New York Jets are another obvious fit. Garrett Wilson sits atop the depth chart, but the Jets could use help around him.
Slayton would add experience and could ease some of the burden on Omar Cooper Jr., the 30th overall pick in April’s draft. His presence could also help Cooper as he moves from college to the NFL.
New Orleans also makes sense after a hit to its receiver room. Rookie first-round pick Jordyn Tyson landed on injured reserve after a right hamstring injury suffered during a joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he is expected to miss about two months.
That leaves rookie fourth-round pick Bryce Lance projected to start alongside Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele. Slayton likely wouldn’t walk in and take Lance’s job right away, but he could lighten the load and give second-year quarterback Tyler Shough another option.
The San Francisco 49ers could also be in the mix. They signed Buccaneers legend Mike Evans and re-signed Deebo Samuel after losing Jauan Jennings to the Vikings in free agency and amid the continued absence of Brandon Aiyuk, who appears to have played his final down with San Francisco, if not in the NFL. Even with those moves, the Niners need more help after former first-round pick Ricky Pearsall was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury.
New England belongs on the list, too. Mike Vrabel recently admitted his team is not very deep, and the Patriots could use a replacement after the recent departure of Kayshon Boutte, who was traded to the Houston Texans.
Slayton would also help take attention away from A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs while giving Drake Maye another proven target.
Dallas is a little more intriguing because the Cowboys already have CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but another established receiver would fit in a pass-heavy offense. There’s also the obvious Week 1 connection with the Giants. On top of that, the Cowboys could use Slayton for intel, since he could offer insight into new Giants coach John Harbaugh's offense.
Tennessee rounds out the list, and it makes plenty of sense on paper. The Titans need receiver help, and Slayton would be reunited with offensive coordinator and former Giants coach Brian Daboll in Nashville. Two of Slayton’s best seasons came under Daboll with the Giants.
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