Wide receiver Darius Slayton finds himself in an all-too-familiar place with the New York Giants entering the 2026 NFL season. For the fourth time since being a fifth-round pick by the Giants in the 2019 NFL Draft, Slayton is being doubted and having to prove to a new coaching staff that he can add value to the offense.
“So, anytime there’s new people, there’s going to be that,” Slayton said recently. “Just for me, I’ve just been fortunate to be here for four staffs. So, I don’t take it personally.
I understand that you have to show and prove yourself whenever there’s new. So, that’s what I plan to do this year.”
When the Giants drafted Slayton in the fifth round out of Auburn in 2019, Pat Shurmur was the coach and Dave Gettleman the GM. He came with a reputation as a fast guy who had a hard time catching the ball. He played his way onto the field and caught 48 passes for a team-high 740 yards.
In 2020, Joe Judge was the coach. Slayton caught 50 balls for a team-high 751 yards.
In 2022, Joe Schoen became the GM and Brian Daboll the coach. They were clearly not Slayton fans. He was inactive Week 1 and did not get a target or reception until Week 4. He still caught 46 passes for a team-high 724 yards. He eventually earned a three-year, $36 million contract from Schoen.
Following the trade of Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in the offseason, the 29-year-old Slayton is the longest-tenured Giant.
“I think maybe contrary to common belief, studies would suggest that I’ve done more good than bad,” Slayton said. “Otherwise, I probably would have been gone with three different people coming here and evaluating me, but it is what it is.”
Now, with John Harbaugh as head coach, Slayton again finds himself needing to prove his worth.
In the days leading up to cutdowns to the 53-man roster, Slayton’s name came up as a potential trade or cut candidate. Slayton has heard that before.
“It’s not the first time, probably won’t be the last time,” Slayton said. “But I really don’t pay it too much mind, honestly. I just take it day by day.”
The Giants’ wide receiver room is, of course, anchored by Malik Nabers. After that, there are several players who will vie for snaps and targets.
There is Odell Beckham Jr. Harbaugh has already promised that Beckham will play, not spectate as a nostalgia act. There is third-round pick Malachi Fields, who was impressive all summer and has a skill set none of the other receivers have. There is Darnell Mooney, who is similar to Slayton but has 1,00-yard and 900-yard receiving seasons on his resume that Slayton can’t match. Braxton Berrios is on the practice squad, but is expected to be active as a return man and reserve receiver.
With all of that in mind, it is clear that Slayton could begin the 2026 season the same way he began the 2022 season — not getting a game-day jersey.
Slayton said he sees himself as “just another playmaker” as a wide receiver.
“I feel like we have a bunch in the room, a lot of really talented guys that we’ve added to the roster,” Slayton said. “I see myself as one of those guys.”
Slayton has averaged 15.0 yards per catch throughout his career, and could still emerge as the “blow the top off the defense” vertical threat for Jaxson Dart.
Slayton had double-sports hernia surgery during the offseason and missed all of the spring practices. He had a relatively quiet summer, with the exception of a four-catch, 58-yard performance in Week 2 of the preseason against the Miami Dolphins.
Slayton admitted that he is still working his way back to full speed.
“I feel like I had a solid summer. Obviously, trying to shake back from rehabbing and all of that. So, I had some bumps along the way. But overall, I think I put together a solid summer,” he said.
“I feel pretty good. I wouldn’t say 100 yet, but definitely turning in the right direction.”
Slayton has spent his career with the Giants defying expectations. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if he does it again.
