CBS Sports: Should Darren Waller decide to retire, the Giants has named his replacement.
If tight end Darren Waller decides to retire this summer, the New York Giants may have to part with one of their most important offensive weapons in order to make room on the roster for a significant upgrade.
Darius Slayton might make a compelling trade partner.
After evaluating all 32 teams and their primary needs at this point in the offseason, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin identified Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton as the team’s best trade prospect (h/t Kevin Hickey of The Sporting News):
In four out of the five NFL seasons, Slayton has quietly surpassed 700 receiving yards. He appears to be trying to get a new deal, since he skipped voluntary workouts. However, he’s also disposable now that Malik Nabers, a first-round choice, is involved. Benjamin wrote on May 30 that the Giants might save anywhere from $3.8 million to $6.4 million by cutting or dealing him.
Prior to the 2024 season, Slayton returns to a congested Giants receiving corps.
On May 28, Slayton returned to the Giants for OTAs. For the time being, he’s back in the fold, and the Giants will have plenty of wideouts to use outside in the upcoming season. Malik Nabers, the No. 6 overall choice in 2024, is predicted to be the G-Men’s star wide receiver.
In 2023, Slayton set a record for New York with 770 receiving yards, and he would still be a strong contender to get the majority of the snaps at wide out opposite Nabers. But after leading the team in yards per reception (16.2) in 2023, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt has shown that he has advanced in OTAs, much to the delight of team officials. Meanwhile, wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson is expected to have a huge season in 2024 thanks to his excellent hands and dependable 76.9 percent catch percentage from the previous year.
Cutting Slayton could return $18 million to the Giants in the event that TE Darren Waller retires.
The Giants would have one of the youngest receiving corps in the league if they were to part ways with Slayton. Additionally, the Giants would be able to make a significant move elsewhere on their depth chart with the up to $6.4 million they may save by releasing Slayton. Considering that several highly sought-after free agents are now off the market, their potential effect at that number might not justify the trade-off.
The Giants, though, will have to handle the Slayton situation on the fly. With tight end Darren Waller’s contract expiring and the Giants saving $11.6 million due to his retirement, New York would be able to use Slayton’s possible $6.4 million savings to strategically strengthen their offense with a game-changer who could propel their young core back into the postseason.
