New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton wanted a trade or raise earlier in the offseason, and the team somewhat met that demand by adding performance-based incentives to his contract. However, Slayton still doesn’t have long-term security with the Giants and is set to hit free agency at the end of the 2024 season. Because of this, it’s worth noting that the longtime Giant has changed agents and is now represented by Athlete’s First.
As of this posting, it’s unclear whether or not Darius Slayton changed agents hoping for a trade, or if he just did this with his impending free agent in mind. What is clear, however, is the explosive nature of the wide receiver market. Top-level players are averaging $35 million per year, and while Slayton won’t come close to that total, he could earn a sizable payday. With first-round pick Malik Nabers entrenched as the top option in this passing attack, the Giants could let him go and join a team like the Baltimore Ravens or New Orleans Saints.
Darius Slayton Switches Agents, Could Signal A Trade
For the sake of this article, let’s assume Darius Slayton switched agents because he wants a trade. If that happens, he could land with a contender like the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore has one of the best all-around rosters in the league with reigning MVP Lamar Jackson leading the way under center. However, while they have the talent to chase a title, this team could use some additional support at the wide receiver position.
Zay Flowers had a promising rookie season, but the rest of the depth chart is littered with question marks. Rashod Bateman will step up as the WR2 with Odell Beckham in Miami, but the former first-round pick has struggled to prove himself on the NFL field. Nelson Agholor is an unremarkable depth guy and fourth-round pick Devontez Walker is an untested rookie. Perhaps he can hit the ground running, but a win-now team like the Ravens shouldn’t place too much faith in a Day 3 pick making an instant impact.
Darius Slayton is an ideal trade target, as the deep threat is better than Nelson Agholor. Even if he can’t be a true WR1, having another vertical threat should make this offense even more dangerous, and it could be what the Ravens need to take down the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs.
Saints Adding Firepower
The New Orleans Saints refuse to rebuild, which means they should be at least passively interested in a Darius Slayton trade. New Orleans has playmakers on defense, but they’ll need the offense to hold up their end of the bargain in 2024. Derek Carr is only as good as the weapons around him, which is bad news for the Saints. The offensive line is a disaster, which means the receivers must be superb to overcome this subpar blocking.
Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are good players, but adding a third reliable weapon in a Darius Slayton trade could be just what the doctor ordered. Armed with three players capable of getting open on a consistent basis, Carr might be able to guide this team to the playoffs for the first time since Drew Brees called it a career.
Main Photo: Lucas Boland – USA Today Sports
