Darius Slayton

Week 14 at Philadelphia Eagles

With all the injuries in the Giants’ receiving corps, Darius Slayton now leads the team with 505 yards and five touchdowns. He was held to just 44 yards against the Packers last week, but he led the team with nine targets and is emerging as a legitimate weapon for quarterback Daniel Jones. He likely has a strong future with the team.

This week, Slayton has some WR3 upside against an Eagles defense that ranks 22nd in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. Even if Golden Tate returns from a head injury – he’s questionable – Slayton should still see a nice dose of targets and provide big-play upside in deep leagues. In a good matchup, if you’re desperate, Slayton could be worth a gamble at the back end of your lineup.

Week 12 at Chicago Bears

Darius Slayton had a fantastic game against the Jets before the bye last week, catching 10 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns. While he’s been very up-and-down throughout the year, Slayton has scored twice in a game in two of his last three outings. He remains the best deep threat the team has on the outside and has carved a role for himself.

Slayton has a tough matchup this week against the Bears, so fantasy owners should be cautious in using him. Chicago is tied for fifth in aFPA to opposing wide receivers and if Sterling Shepard comes back – which sounds like a possibility – Slayton may see fewer snaps. If Shepard is out again, Slayton could be considered a risky WR3 option in deep leagues, but if Shepard starts, he should be benched in a tough matchup until we see how much Shepard’s presence affects him.

Week 9 vs. Dallas Cowboys

Darius Slayton only caught two of the five passes thrown his way last week against the Lions, but both of them were touchdown receptions as the Giants made a game of it after falling behind by 14 in the first quarter. Slayton seems to be all-or-nothing, but his snap count suggests upside in good matchups. He’s been on the field for at least 84% of the team’s offensive snaps in each of the past three games with Sterling Shepard out and has shown the ability to stretch the field.

This week, Slayton faces a Cowboys defense that has been very up-and-down this year, but ranks 13th overall in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. Slayton is a little boom-or-bust, but he stands a reasonable chance of finding the end zone again, so fantasy owners in desperation mode could take a flyer on him as a low-end WR3. Outside of that, however, he’s probably best viewed as a long-term stash option.