Darius Slayton DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Wide receiver Darius Slayton is the New York Giants' top free agent this offseason, but ESPN New York's Jordan Raanan writes that Slayton isn't a candidate to be franchise-tagged with the number being well over $20 million in 2025. Raanan compares Slayton more to Darnell Mooney, who got $13 million per year in free agency last year. The 28-year-old has proven that he's not a No. 1 receiver type that would typically command a franchise tag, and the last time New York let him test the market, they ended up re-signing him on a two-year, $12 million deal after the 2022 season. In his sixth year with the G-Men in 2024, Slayton had just 39 catches on 71 targets for 573 yards (the second-lowest total of his career) and only two touchdowns in 16 games (13 starts). Given the Giants' uncertainty at the QB position, Slayton is probably better off going elsewhere in 2025.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, wide receiver Darius Slayton could have several offers during free agency. Fowler noted that several teams are looking for top-end speed on the outside, and Slayton could find a similar contract that Darnell Mooney did prior to the 2024 season with the Atlanta Falcons (three-year $39 million). Fowler also said that the Carolina Panthers "make sense" as a suitor for Slayton. Last season, Slayton tallied 573 yards and two touchdowns on 39 receptions with the Giants. This was his second-lowest yardage total of his career. In 2023, Slayton tallied a career-best 770 yards and four touchdowns on 50 receptions. Slayton was typically deployed as the No. 3 option behind standout rookie Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson. If he were to sign in Carolina, Slayton could push for a starting role alongside Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker.

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton is not a reliable fantasy option for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. Slayton did catch a 32-yard touchdown pass last weekend, but he has just one catch in each of his last three games. The 27-year-old has settled into the No. 3 receiver role, taking a backseat to both Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson. He took advantage of opportunities to shine earlier in the year, but as long as Nabers and Robinson are both healthy, Slayton's floor and productivity are both limited. Fantasy managers can leave Slayton on waivers in most leagues as the Giants take on the Eagles in their final game of the season.