Matt Citak
ESPN gives high praise to Darius Slayton
The Giants made a big splash at the wide receiver position last offseason with the selection of Malik Nabers sixth overall.
Of course, Nabers went on have a record-setting rookie campaign. But according to ESPN, there's another member of the team's wide receiver room that deserves praise, as well.
ESPN's Aaron Schatzrecently chose the most underrated player across the NFL at every position. When it came to the wide receiver position, Schatz went with Giants veteran Darius Slayton.
"Slayton wasn't supposed to be anything special as a fifth-round pick in 2019, but he started nine games and caught eight touchdown passes in his rookie season..." wrote Schatz. "The Giants played Slayton alongside Malik Nabers last season, and you need at least two starting wide receivers to survive in the modern NFL."
Across his first five years with the team, Slayton had four different campaigns with 700+ receiving yards. In each of those seasons, he averaged at least 15.0 yards per catch while totaling 19 touchdowns, 220 receptions and 3,324 yards.
The 28-year-old played 16 games last season and finished with 39 receptions for 573 yards and two touchdowns.
In the offseason, the Giants signed Slayton to a new multi-year contract, a move ESPN praised.
"Advanced metrics support the move since Slayton has had a positive receiving DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) for three straight seasons," Schatz wrote. "And it's not like he has done that while working with any of the NFL's best quarterbacks. With Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and/or Jaxson Dart under center in 2025, Slayton should continue to work as a deep threat opposite Nabers. He'll probably put up another quietly productive and surprisingly efficient season."
Here are ESPN's most underrated players at each position:
- Quarterback: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
- Running Back: Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
- Wide Receiver: Darius Slayton, New York Giants
- Tight End: Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
- Offensive Tackle: Garett Bolles, Denver Broncos
- Interior Offensive Line: Elgton Jenkins, Green Bay Packers
- Interior Defensive Line: Zach Allen, Denver Broncos
- Edge Rusher: George Karlaftis, Kansas City Chiefs
- Linebacker: Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cornerback: Christian Benford, Buffalo Bills
- Safety: Taylor Rapp, Buffalo Bills
- Specialist: Corey Bojorquez, Cleveland Browns
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