There is certainly a good chance the Giants will use the No. 6 overall pick in next week’s draft to select a wide receiver, as they believe they need a true No. 1 target and that the roster at present does not have one of them.
The receiver who has been on the team longer than anyone else, Darius Slayton, over the years has welcomed in many youngsters at his position but it remains to be seen if he will be around for this particular rookie, if the Giants go in that direction.
Slayton is not attending the offseason workout program — which is voluntary — staying away because he is seeking a new contract, according to ESPN.
Slayton, 27, is entering the second year of a two-year, $12 million deal he signed before the 2023 season.
He recently was paid a bonus of $2.6 million and his base salary for 2024 is $2.5 million.
Now that Saquon Barkley is with the Eagles, Slayton is one of the longest-tenured Giants players, arriving in the 2019 draft along with Daniel Jones and Dexter Lawrence.
He has endured his share of ups and downs in a career that has seen him fight for playing time and lead the team in receiving yards four of the past five seasons.
In four of his five seasons, his production was remarkably consistent — between 46-50 catches and between 724-770 receiving yards. In 2023, he matched Barkley for the team high with four touchdown receptions.
Initially, he did not make a strong impression on the new regime of general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll and was a healthy scratch in the 2022 season opener.
Gradually, he got on the field, his playing time increased and after that season he was awarded with a new contract.
Slayton is the veteran in a room that includes Wan’Dale Robinson entering his third year with the Giants and Jalin Hyatt heading into year No. 2.
If Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze is on the board for the Giants next Thursday night and one of them is the pick, Slayton’s role on offense could see a significant drop.