Who Should I Start? Brandin Cooks or Darius Slayton

Monday, April 6, 5:15 AM

Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton's 538 receiving yards in 2025 were good for the second-highest total on a New York team that saw starts from three different quarterbacks while playing almost the entire season without its clear number one receiver in Malik Nabers. In 2026, a sense of continuity is expected to return to New York, which could hurt Slayton's chances of making any meaningful impact. The team's leading receiver from last season, Wan'Dale Robinson, reunited with former head coach Brian Daboll in Tennessee, and although they play vastly different roles, some of his production is expected to be absorbed by free agent acquisition Darnell Mooney. Running backs Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Devin Singletary are all expected back after combining for more than 90 targets in their first season together. New York also returns tight end Theo Johnson, who finished second on the team in targets and receptions, but the main reason analysts are expecting a year two jump from quarterback Jaxson Dart, and a subsequently lowered ceiling for Slayton and all other Giants' pass catchers, is the anticipated return to health of Nabers. His 170 targets as a rookie broke a 21-year-old NFL record, and prior to tearing his ACL in Week 4, he was on pace for another 150+ in 2025.