While plenty of names have been floated as potential trade targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers, there is a group of players that are tiered slightly lower who may be more appropriate for the team.
One of those players is Giants WR Darius Slayton.
Currently in the middle of his own contractual impasse, (much like Brandon Aiyuk) Slayton may seek a change of scenery should talks fall through, and Pittsburgh would be the perfect place.
The #Steelers have been linked as a potential trade destination for Giants WR Darius Slayton pic.twitter.com/BmBvd84sUK
— Steelersonly (@steelersonlyy) May 6, 2024
Look, Slayton isn't as flashy as names like Courtland Sutton, Deebo Samuel, or D.K. Metcalf, but in this scenario, Pittsburgh strikes out on those three and receives one of the more underrated WRs in the league.
Slayton has led the Giants in receiving yards in four of the past five seasons. Often done with mediocre QB play at best and treated as the number one option by defenses, Slayton has vastly outperformed expectations.
Drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the 27-year-old WR has recorded more than 700 receiving yards in four of his five seasons and is coming off a year where he tied a career-high in receptions with 50.
But with New York taking Malik Nabers sixth overall in last months draft and the team yet to extend Slayton, the overachieving WR has decided to sit out the voluntary portion of New York's workouts as he looks for a new contract.
Giants WR Darius Slayton, in the final year of his current deal, has not reported to voluntary offseason workouts this week as he seeks a contract extension, sources told ESPN.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 17, 2024
Slayton led Giants in receiving this past season, and four of past 5 years. https://t.co/r6g3i6s1he
Slayton also happens to fit in perfectly with the Steelers' offense and their current need at WR 2. At 6-1, 180 pounds and with 4.3 speed, Slayton can work opposite of George Pickens as a vertical stretch player, evidenced by his career average of over 15 yards per catch.
#NYGiants currently have a crowded WR room:
— Ben (@bengbills) May 3, 2024
-Malik Nabers (first round pick)
-Jalin Hyatt (third round pick)
-Wan’Dale Robinson (second round pick)
-Darius Slayton
-Isaiah Hodgins/Mckenzie (former Bills)
Could Slayton be available via trade? pic.twitter.com/MXGVBLXUmY
And the best part is, while Pittsburgh would have to negotiate a new deal after trading for him, the amount of capital required to both acquire Slayton and pay him is much less than if the team was targeting D.K. Metcalf or Deebo Samuel.
So if Pittsburgh strikes out on a big-time acquisition, Slayton is a backup plan that fits the bill perfectly.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!