Mile High Report
The receiver position isn’t a high priority for the Broncos this offseason, but Slayton could be a depth signing.
Darius Slayton is a fascinating free-agent target.
The receiver's stats don’t jump off the page and aren’t anything to write home about. Then you remember the six-year wideout from Auburn has played for the New York Giants.
For the vast majority of his career, Slayton’s quarterback was Daniel Jones. Slayton hasn’t had the best quarterback play in his time in the NFL.
Age: 28 | Experience: Sixth | Height: 6’1” | Weight: 198 pounds
So, a change of scene would do him well, but so would the team that signs him in NFL free agency come March. Could Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos be interested?
Based on the Broncos head coach’s statements this year, receiver isn’t a high priority this offseason. He likes the guys he has on the roster. So, while a player like Tee Higgins may not be in the cards, Slayton could be a depth receiver for Bo Nix and the Denver offense.
As noted at the top, Slayton’s stats don’t jump off the page.
For his six-year career with the Giants, he has 259 receptions for 3,897 yards and 21 touchdowns. Twice, Slayton finished with 50 catches in 2020 and 2023. In those two seasons, Slayton had 770 yards and four touchdowns in 2023 and 751 yards and three touchdowns in 2020. Slayton arguably had his best season in his rookie campaign when he had 48 catches for 740 yards and eight touchdowns.
Clearly, Slayton is not a No. 1 or No. 2 receiver. He’s a depth wideout for whatever team decides to target him.
As PFF said about Slayton:
Even though the Giants kept drafting and signing wide receivers, Slayton never got phased out of New York’s offense and always earned an opportunity for himself. Before this past season, Slayton proved time and again that he can be one of the better WR3s in the league — or even a WR2. His 15.6 receiving yards per reception over 2022 and 2023 ranked 11th among 105 qualifying receivers, while his 1.46 receiving yards per route run placed him 48th at the position.
To actually be in an offense that isn’t fighting the current without a paddle, Slayton could really prosper with a quarterback and offensive line.
The key factors in whether Payton and Denver target Slayton are fit and price. If Payton decides Slayton could fit into his offense in 2025, Slayton could become a target. A version of Lil’Jordan Humphrey, perhaps.
Slayton isn’t anything special, but he is good down the field and has good speed.
The question is if he fits what Payton and Denver want on offense. In my mind, Slayton is a version of what the Broncos already have on the roster at the receiver position. Instead of signing a...
