The Giants cut ties Tuesday with their longest-tenured player, releasing veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton.
Slayton, 29, entered the league as a fifth-round pick by New York in the 2019 NFL Draft and was the last remaining Giant from that class on the roster before the move. His release gives the team $3.16 million in cap space while leaving $12.75 million in dead cap money.
For much of his time in New York, Slayton was exactly what the Giants needed on the outside: a legitimate downfield threat who could stretch defenses. As a rookie, he flashed right away and built a strong connection with fellow 2019 draftee Daniel Jones. He never reached 800 receiving yards in a season, but he went over 700 in four of his first five years - 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023 - and led the Giants in receiving in each of those seasons.
Still, the fit was never perfect. Slayton had trouble consistently separating with his route running, and drops were an issue at different points in his career.
Over 106 games with the Giants, including 78 starts, Slayton finished with 296 catches, 4,435 yards and 22 touchdowns. For a fifth-round pick, it was a strong return.
His offseason was also interrupted by double sports hernia surgery, and he recently said he still wasn’t running the way he wanted to.
Slayton moved quickly to social media after the news broke.
With Slayton gone, the Giants’ receiver picture shifts again. Darnell Mooney and rookie Malachi Fields are now positioned to be the primary receivers alongside Malik Nabers and Odell Beckham Jr.
How New York fills the opening is still up in the air. The Giants could sign Braxton Berrios to the active roster, or they could bring in a free agent and leave their trio of returners on the practice squad. The team also has Dalen Cambre, Jalin Hyatt Charlie Jones on the practice squad.
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