Giants WR Darius Slayton named 'potential surprise trade and cut candidate'

It appears New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton may soon become "big play Slay" for some other club.

The Giants remain in the early days of a new regime guided by general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, both of whom only joined the organization this past winter. Thus they aren't overly attached to most on the roster heading into the upcoming season that likely will be more about building for the future than winning for Big Blue. 

Slayton, meanwhile, is in the final year of his rookie contract and has seemingly been relegated on the depth chart by the likes of 2021 first-round draft pick Kadarius Toney and 2022 second-round choice Wan'Dale Robinson. Add in that receiver Sterling Shepard came off the physically unable to perform list Wednesday as he continues his recovery from a torn Achilles, and the Giants getting something for Slayton via a summer trade makes sense. 

As such, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus named Slayton among his "potential surprise trade or cut candidates" at the start of the final week of the preseason.

"There’s a numbers issue for Slayton in New York, which is why sources believe he could be a prime trade candidate this offseason for a wide receiver-needy team," Kyed wrote while mentioning others on the New York roster at the position. 

Kyed also pointed out how Daboll recently offered high praise for receivers Collin Johnson and David Sills. 

"They’ve stepped their game up. I mean they’re right in the mix. Not just to make a team, but to play," Daboll said of the pair. 

Slayton, meanwhile, is on track to earn a base salary of $2.54 million for 2022 after he finished last season with 26 catches for 339 yards and two touchdowns.