Could Giants WR Darius Slayton be a surprise cut?

In less than a week, NFL teams will cut their rosters to 53 players each. Could fourth-year Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton be a surprise cut, as Bleacher Report's Ian Wharton suggested?

The reasoning makes sense, even though the Giants' receiving corps has thinned recently.

"Time is running out for fourth-year receiver Darius Slayton after he missed four games last year and saw a massive dip in production when he did play," Wharton wrote. "He caught only 26 passes for 339 yards and two scores in 2021. He had averaged 49 catches for 745.5 yards and 5.5 touchdowns in his first two seasons."

On Wednesday, the Giants lost promising wide receiver Collin Johnson for the season to a torn Achilles. Per ESPN, first-coach Brian Daboll had noted earlier this week that Johnson and fellow wideout David Sills were playing better. Veteran receiver Sterling Shephard, who had been out with an Achilles injury, returned to practice Wednesday.

Slayton has flashed talent in New York, but he isn't worth his $2.5 million price tag. The Giants have good depth in Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney and Wan'Dale Robinson and solid backend depth in Johnson, Sills and Alex Bachman.

Slayton was not productive last season. According to Alex Ballentine from Bleacher Report, he was one of the most inefficient receivers in the league, with a catch rate of just 44.8 percent, a drop rate of 10.3 percent and a quarterback rating of 53.7 when targeted.

In short, he didn't help quarterback Daniel Jones, who needs all the help he can get in a pivotal season for him. Slayton isn't worth the investment.