Darius Slayton Fantasy Overview

2024 Summary

Production & Fantasy Finishes

Slayton totaled 39 catches, 573 yards, and two TDs in 16 games. He recorded 40.1% of his yardage and 35.8% of his catches in only two games.

The lopsided production led to an inconsistent fantasy season.

Slayton’s 6.9 PPR points per game marked a three-year low. Meanwhile, he finished only four weeks at WR36 or better (with one right at WR36).

Usage & Role

Slayton continued to see a sizable dose of downfield looks. Nearly 22% of his targets came on deep balls, per Pro Football Focus. That was in line with 2023 (22.4%) but ahead of 2022 (15.7%).

Slayton’s overall target volume certainly underwhelmed. He finished third on the Giants in targets behind Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson.

Slayton’s target share: Only 14%, his lowest figure since 2021.

Efficiency Metrics

Among 58 WRs with 70+ targets last year, Slayton ranked:

• 10th in yards per catch
• 39th in yards after catch per reception
• 55th in catch rate
• 55th in PFF receiving grade
• 55th in drop rate
• 56th in yards per route run

Slayton’s downfield role helps explain the yards per catch, YAC per reception, and catch rate numbers. But overall, his efficiency metrics dipped compared to his career averages.

Offensive Context

QB play crippled this offense.

Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito combined for a 61.9% completion rate and 6.0 yards per attempt. They averaged 190 yards and .88 TDs per game.

The Giants also finished 30th in total yards and 31st in points. New York slotted seventh in pass rate (63%) but just 23rd in pass rate over expected.

Injury History

Slayton suffered two concussions but missed only one game. He played through thumb and groin injuries.

The veteran has missed only two games over the past three seasons.

2025 Expectations

Projected Role & Competition

In March, Slayton signed a new three-year deal with $22 million guaranteed.

He’ll remain in a secondary role for an offense with alpha Malik Nabers.

Wan’Dale Robinson also returns to eat up slot targets. And there’s at least a chance highly athletic TE Theo Johnson earns a larger role in Year 2.

Despite the hefty contract, Slayton appears most likely to retain a low-volume, downfield role.

Supporting Cast

Russell Wilson is expected to start the season under center. Wilson’s a willing downfield thrower, making him an interesting fit for Slayton’s deep speed.

Consider this: In 2024, Wilson ranked second among 46 qualifiers in adjusted deep ball completion rate (56.0%, per PFF). 13.7% of his passes traveled 20+ air yards, ranking 11th in the same sample.

But will Wilson last the entire season? Probably not. New York added Round 1 QB Jaxson Dart and veteran gunslinger Jameis Winston in free agency.

The Giants reportedly want Dart to sit and learn for the entire 2025 season. But we know how plans can change once games begin.

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

Slayton returns for his fourth season in the Brian Daboll-Mike Kafka offense.

In 49 career games with that pairing, Slayton has garnered a mediocre 4.5 targets per game. We’re not expecting a noticeable uptick in usage ahead of his age-28 season.