Participation among key Giants receivers was light during this year’s offseason. Sterling Shepard continues to close out his Achilles rehab, while Kadarius Toney missed time because of a new injury. Kenny Golladay was also limited during the team’s spring workouts. This could point to Darius Slayton being retained as an insurance policy of sorts, but the fourth-year wideout does not seem to be a favorite of the new regime, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com offers. Slayton buzz this offseason continues to point to a departure, and Raanan does not have the former fifth-rounder making the team. The Giants shopped the two-time 700-yard receiver ahead of the draft and took Kentucky’s Wan’Dale Robinson in Round 2, further crowding their receiving corps. Due to a proven performance escalator, Slayton’s rookie contract finishes up with a $2.5MM 2022 salary.
Here is the NFC East’s latest:
- Haason Reddick‘s potential role as an outside linebacker who moves to defensive end on passing downs in a 4-3 scheme reminded of Von Miller‘s in his initial Broncos seasons. But the Eagles may no longer be keen on keeping their highly paid edge rusher in the garage. They are leaning toward more 3-4 sets this season, Tim McManus of ESPN.com notes. This would allow Reddick, who turned his career around after the Cardinals gave him a chance as a pure edge player in 2020, the opportunity to rush on most plays. The former first-round pick has accumulated 23.5 sacks over the past two seasons.
- The Eagles have a formidable-looking defensive tackle crew, having drafted Jordan Davis to pair with Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave. Despite Davis’ massive frame, McManus adds the Eagles believe he can be a three-down player. Nose tackles often come off the field on passing downs, making the use of a top-15 pick on one questionable. While Davis might not be ticketed for an immediate three-down role, given the veterans that headline his Philly position group, the Georgia-developed size-speed freak will have that chance as a pro.
- Cowboys rookie linebacker Damone Clark is not expected to suit up anytime soon. The fifth-round pick underwent spinal fusion surgery in March, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota, and may miss the season. Even if Clarke suits up, Machota adds the Cowboys are not expecting that to happen until late in the season (subscription required). Clark recorded 135 tackles and 5.5 sacks during his final LSU season and will rejoin ex-Tigers teammate Jabril Cox as part of Dallas’ linebacking corps.
- Although Travon Walker and Aidan Hutchinson went first and second overall, Giants DC Don Martindale and outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins viewed Kayvon Thibodeaux as this draft’s best edge prospect, Raanan notes. Lofty draft-board proclamations often emerge after teams make their picks, but the Giants did select a player who exited 2021 atop many mock drafts. The team plans on using Thibodeaux as an inside pass rusher as well, Raanan adds. Big Blue has enjoyed success with edge rushers moving inside, but it has been a while since Justin Tuck and Co. thrived in the Big Apple.
Slayton is not great but he’s had the best rapport with Jones out of any of the WRs Jones has played with. And with Shepard, Toney, and Golladay all guaranteed to miss time due to injury, I don’t know why they’d consider getting rid of him. I hated the Wan’Dale Robinson pick at the time, too, as they have way bigger holes to fill.
New regime should have a long leash, but stuff like this doesn’t look good out of the gate.
I’m a little higher on Slayton, but I agree. He stepped up when there were no other real options and certainly played a larger role than anticipated. It is curious to me why the new regime is so insistent on moving him. Homegrown players like that are important to keep, and Slayton isn’t exactly expensive. I agree about the Robinson pick as well.
I’m sure the Giants new regime will make some rookie mistakes but the way the Yankees and Mets are playing, many New Yorkers won’t notice or care.
Giant fans will care in October if the Yankees/Mets are not standing in the end.
rct – when I saw the Robinson pick I said “why do they need 100 WR’s?”
The focus this season is going to be on Daniel Jones and what he can/can’t do and what they think they need to do next year. The team could go 8-9, demonstrate improvement in the offense and pass rush, and the season would be seen as pretty successful.