Darius Slayton is on track to make a mark in the Giants’ record books this season.
His quest could kick off as soon as week one. He needs just 44 receiving yards—about a month’s worth of work from Russell Wilson—to surpass Lionel Manuel, a two-time Super Bowl champion.
After that, there’s Sterling Shepherd. If Slayton can manage around 800 yards, he could leapfrog notable players like Jeremy Shockey, Victor Cruz, and Ike Hilliard, moving from No. 18 to No. 9 by season’s end. By the conclusion of his three-year contract, he could be solidly fitting in behind Amani Toomer.
“I respect every player you mentioned; they were all great here before me,” Slayton, who was drafted in 2019, remarked after Tuesday’s practice. “But guys like Hakeem Nicks and Amani Toomer, they achieved at the highest level.”
At 28, Slayton recently surpassed Mark Bavaro, a former standout whose time had seemingly come to a close last season. It feels a bit odd, yet Slayton doesn’t see himself as just a legacy player; rather, he’s here to make a significant impact.
“I’m glad to follow in the footsteps of these great players, but that’s not my primary focus,” he said. “Even if I set records, the ultimate goal for me has been winning, something I haven’t accomplished here.”
With 3,897 receiving yards so far, he ranks seventh among his draft class, which notably includes non-first-round picks and NFC East counterparts like A.J. Brown, Terry McLaurin, and Deebo Samuel. The Giants, however, have had a rough overall record at 30-61-1.
It’s clear there are many takeaways from all these losses.
Slayton, who serves as a longer-standing member of the offense, has become more vocal and active in the locker room. Coach Brian Dabor noted, “This year, he’s really stepped up, setting the standard for practice.”
“I enjoy coaching him. His leadership has grown, especially how he communicates with everyone. He stands up and talks to the team,” Dabor added.
The Giants haven’t made any changes to their top four wide receivers or their top three tight ends, even though they ranked 28th in passing offense last season.
Last year was frustrating for Slayton. With 170 targets going to rookie Malik Narvers and 140 to Wan’Dale Robinson, he only received 71. It seems like the target distribution isn’t any better this year under Wilson’s guidance.
Nonetheless, Slayton’s career has shown he finds a way to stay involved. He took over after Odell Beckham Jr. left and caught Eli Manning’s final touchdown pass. Even in his first season under Dabor, despite some struggles, he managed to hold his spot.
“It hasn’t come easy for him,” Dabor acknowledged. “He’s faced challenges but remains patient and keeps grinding. I appreciate his resilience.”
With a higher salary of $12 million per year, Slayton carries more responsibility now.
“It was my fault,” he explained about not speaking up sooner. “I have a lot of knowledge, and I’m trying to share it with those around me. I believe that’s helpful for our team,” he said.
While the record books might not highlight this side of him, the insights he offers are undeniably valuable.
