Giants' Darius Slayton brings important veteran presence to young receiver room

Darius Slayton is 27, a very young man in the real word. But he understands that “football is different. It’s like dog years.”

Hence in the context of the Giants' wide receiver room, he is an elder statesman to the likes of Malik Nabers (age 21), Jalin Hyatt (23) and Wan’Dale Robinson (23).

“It has been brought to my attention multiple times this year that I’m 27 going on 35, apparently,” Slayton told Newsday recently.

By whom? Fans? Journalists? Teammates?

“Everybody,” he said. “But despite the fact I’m not actually that old, I understand compared to the people in that room, I’m older than them. I just do my best to impart any wisdom I have to them. Any way, shape or form I can help them ultimately helps us win. So I try to pass along anything I have.”

Slayton had been listed as questionable for Thursday night’s game against the Cowboys with a thumb injury that he suffered against the Browns on Sunday, but he was included on the active game roster.

He has been the No. 2 receiver opposite Nabers, the Giants’ rookie sensation. That itself illustrates how much Slayton is valued and respected.

Nabers was the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and was going to get his shot regardless of performance.

Slayton was a fifth-round pick out of Auburn in 2019 and has had to earn his stay every step of the way — through three coaching regimes.

For most of the offseason, he was assumed to be battling for a starting spot with Hyatt, a third-round pick in 2023 who won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the best receiver in the nation at Tennessee.

Come opening day, there Slayton was again, ahead of Hyatt in the rotation.

He is nothing if not consistent. In his four seasons with at least 14 games played, he has had between 46 and 50 receptions and 724 and 770 receiving yards.

It is a testament to how much he is trusted by the coaches, and by quarterback Daniel Jones, who came into the league with Slayton in ’19.

“I think I just bring reliability, as well as explosive playmaking,” Slayton said. “I think I’ve made a lot of plays in my time here.

“I came in, unlike Jalen, Wan’Dale and Malik — third-, second- and first-round picks — I’m a fifth-round pick. I had to do everything right in order to be here. I’ve also survived three staffs being here as a fifth-round pick.

“I do the right thing. I’m where I’m supposed to be when I’m supposed to be, and that’s something that’s very valuable in this sport.”

His closeness to Jones, personally and professionally, is a bonus.

“I’m sure it has helped a lot,” Slayton said. “Familiarity helps, as well as, like I said, I’m where I’m supposed to be when I’m supposed to be.

“For quarterbacks, it’s something that’s very friendly. You want to be unpredictable to the defense but predictable to the quarterback.”

Giants coach Brian Daboll appreciates what Slayton brings to the table, on the field and off.

“He's been productive here for a while,” Daboll said. “I think the quarterback has a lot of confidence in him. He has confidence in all the guys. But [Slayton] has been around. He's been around the block around here, understands things, confident player, good leadership, a veteran that's done it for a while and been productive doing it.”

Playing opposite Nabers should benefit Slayton and every other receiver, plus tight ends and running backs.

“At some point they’re not just going to keep letting him kill them; they’re going to focus on him and key on him,” Slayton said.

“And then the kicker’s going to be when they find out they can’t leave me one-on-one either or it’s going to get bad as well. So we’ll see how that plays out.”

Hyatt entered Thursday night’s game with no catches and two targets this season, which has been frustrating for him. What does Slayton say to boost his spirits?

“I’m like, ‘When I was a rookie, I was in a worse position than all of you guys; I was way down [the depth chart],’ ” Slayton said.

“But at the end of the day, it’s a blessing to play this sport and every day you get to wake up and do it you can’t take it for granted.”

Speaking of which, Slayton is due to be a free agent when the season is over. Is that a potential distraction at this stage?

“Right now, it’s pretty easy, because it’s so far away,” he said. “Free agency is not until March or April. Quite frankly, I don’t have time to think about it.

“I’m thinking about getting this thing back on track, trying to find every way possible to get this team going back in the right direction. That’s my primary focus, and always will be.”

By Neil Best

neil.best@newsday.com@sportswatch

Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.