Could the New York Giants put WR Darius Slayton back in the lineup?

New York Giants, Darius Slayton
Aug 11, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) watches the game from the side line during the first half of a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have an issue on offense. The Giants’ wide receivers have underperformed this season. The team’s most reliable receiver, Sterling Shepard, has gone down for the year with a torn ACL. This is a massive blow to the Giants’ offensive talent, however, it does open an opportunity for other wide receivers to step into the lineup and make an impact. One of those wide receivers could be a familiar face in Darius Slayton. The Giants nearly moved on from Slayton this offseason but opted to bury him on the depth chart instead. With injuries and disappointment piling up among the starters, Darius Slayton could actually see some playing time come his way in the coming weeks.

Could Darius Slayton be back in the Giants’ lineup?

The New York Giants need more from their receiving corps. An unlikely suspect in Richie James Jr. is the team’s leading receiver through three weeks. No one expected James Jr. to be the team’s top receiving option, but his production highlights the lack of production from the top talents on the Giants’ roster.

Wide receiver Darius Slayton took a pay cut this offseason in order to stay with the Giants. The 2019 fifth-round pick has had a tumultuous career with Big Blue. Formerly a starter in the Giants’ lineup, Slayton has been demoted to a backup position that is often a healthy scratch. Moving forward, though, the Giants may have no choice but to rely on Darius Slayton again.

After being cast aside earlier in the year, Darius Slayton is now very important to the New York Giants. The team needs reliable receiving talent to utilize, and Slayton’s experience starting as one of Daniel Jones’s teammates makes him intrinsically valuable.

“Darius is a guy I have a lot of trust in, a lot of faith in, and I know he’s working hard. As far as the game plan going forward, we’ll see how it works out, but I have a lot of faith and confidence in him.”

Daniel Jones on Darius Slayton via GiantsWire

Daniel Jones has confidence in Darius Slayton as one of his wide receivers going forward. The two have combined to create unique chemistry in the past. Slayton totaled 124 receptions for 1,830 yards and 13 touchdowns from 2019-2021. Darius Slayton served as Daniel Jones’s primary receiving target in some games. These upcoming weeks will be crucial for Darius Slayton as he looks to revitalize his career and prove his worth to the New York Giants.

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