May 28, 2025

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton is back with the team on a freshly inked three-year, $36 million contract. Slayton is poised to play a significant role alongside Malik Nabers and newly acquired veteran quarterback Russell Wilson. The 28-year-old saw a dip in production during the 2024 season, largely due to New York's ongoing struggles at quarterback. Slayton caught 39 passes for 573 yards and three touchdowns over 16 games. Still, he's managed to post four seasons with over 700 receiving yards throughout his career. A testament to his consistency and playmaking ability despite less-than-ideal circumstances. Slayton is best known for his ability to stretch the field, which pairs perfectly with Wilson's deep-ball accuracy. Wilson, who ranks 16th all-time in completions of 20-plus yards (3,882), thrives on taking calculated shots downfield, a quality that could finally unlock Slayton's full potential. With Nabers drawing defensive attention, Slayton is expected to see plenty of vertical opportunities. His combination of size (6'1", 198 lbs), speed (4.39 seconds), and experience makes him a crucial downfield weapon, capable of generating explosive plays and creating opportunities for the entire offense. If Wilson can demonstrate he still has plenty left in the tank after 13 seasons and successfully fends off competition from first-round draft pick Jaxson Dart and 10-year veteran Jameis Winston this season, Slayton could very well surpass the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his six-year NFL career. Slayton has potential late-round value and is WR82 in the latest RotoBaller rankings heading into fantasy football drafts.--Jp Sticco - RotoBaller