The Baltimore Ravens could use some help at wide receiver, and the staff at Bleacher Report believe that a Darius Slayton trade could be the missing piece for this offense. Currently sitting at 3-2, Baltimore has perhaps the league’s deadliest rushing duo in quarterback Lamar Jackson and superstar Derrick Henry. Winning games on the ground, this combination of thunder and lightning gives opposing defenses fits, especially since so many units are built to stop passing attacks. When Baltimore throws the ball, it’s usually to first-round pick Zay Flowers. The Ravens are making this work, but they could use another reliable weapon.
After a mini holdout for a trade or a long-term deal, Darius Slayton returned to the New York Giants on a slight raise. However, the emergence of Wan’Dale Robinson and first-round pick Malik Nabers have made him an afterthought in the offense. Through five games, the wide receiver has recorded just 18 receptions for 244 yards and one touchdown, with a sizable portion of that production coming with Nabers sidelined due to a concussion. The Giants will probably sell at the trade deadline, and the Ravens won’t be the only team interested in the former fifth-round pick.
[I]t would be good for the Ravens to add one more dynamic weapon in the passing game. Darius Slayton is an underrated burner whose deep speed would give the Ravens a dangerous option in their vertical play-action game.
Bleacher Report: Ravens Should Trade For Darius Slayton – Chiefs, Saints Could Intervene
Week 5 proved that Darius Slayton still has some juice in his tank, which should bolster his trade value. With superstar Malik Nabers sidelined, Slayton rose to the occasion with the best game of his season. Leading an upset win over the Seattle Seahawks, the wide receiver finished his night with eight receptions for 122 yards and one touchdown. This came one week after he recorded three receptions for 56 yards in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys where Nabers originally suffered his injury.
Darius Slayton is redundant with Malik Nabers healthy, but nobody should blame the trade candidate for being unable to beat out one of the best receiver prospects in recent memory. Baltimore needs someone to step up opposite Flowers, and Slayton is as good a choice as any. The Ravens never found a true replacement for Marquise Brown, and Slayton fits the role to a tee. The wide receiver excels at stretching a defense, and he should be more effective than ever catching passes from an MVP while defenses hone in on the run game. However, the Ravens won’t be the only team looking for a receiver upgrade, as the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints could also make a move for the wideout.
Chiefs, Saints In the Mix
The Kansas City Chiefs spent the offseason improving the wide receiver position with free agent Marquise Brown and first-round pick Xavier Worthy complementing Rashee Rice. However, a series of injuries made those additions obsolete, as the Chiefs are back at square one. Darius Slayton would be a perfect fit for this offense, as the trade target’s vertical ability is a perfect match for the rocket arm of Patrick Mahomes. He might not be as good as Brown, but he’s considerably better than Marquez Valdes-Scantling, 2023’s deep threat.
The Saints, meanwhile, must see how fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler looks before deciding to trade for Darius Slayton. At 2-3, New Orleans can’t afford to lose games while Derek Carr recovers from his injury. However, if Rattler can keep the ship afloat, then they could make a move for the Giants playmaker. While they have their eyes set on Davante Adams, Slayton is a fine consolation prize who could give this team another set of hands as they pursue their first playoff birth since the Drew Brees Era.
Main Photo: Julian Leshay Guadal – USA Today Sports
