Darius Slayton - Slayton was sneaky efficient last year

Darius Slayton caught my eye yesterday, saying in an article in the New York Post that he considers himself to be a No. 1 receiver. That’s bold talk from a receiver who’s never had an 800-yard season. But I will concede that Slayton made the most of his opportunities last year.

"I wouldn't say it bothers me because everybody doesn't know what I know," Slayton told Ryan Dunleavy when asked about his lack of respect around the NFL. "Everybody is not in the Giants' building. At the end of the day, you can only judge based on what you see from afar."

Slayton argues that he’s not so much unproductive as underused. "You see this guy go for 1,010 (yards) or see a guy go for 100 yards every week, and you go, 'He's really good,'" Slayton said. "Some of these guys play with nobody. I play with Saquon (Barkley). Where do you think the ball is going first? Not me.”

Some will write off Slayton as simply delusional, but he has had some success as a deep threat. He’s averaged over 15 yards per catch in three of his four seasons. That’s impressive, particularly when factoring in that he’s been playing for the offensively challenged Giants. Slayton caught 8 TDs as a rookie in 2019.

Slayton was efficient last year. He caught 65 percent of the passes thrown his way, which is a high number for a player who averaged 15.7 yards per catch. That works out to 10.2 yards per pass play, which was the 3rd-highest in the league for players with at least 70 targets. Only three other wide receivers averaged over 10 yards per target, and all were of the badass variety: Tyreek Hill, A.J. Brown and Jaylen Waddle.

(Note that in the chart below, the “Avg” shows not the average yards per catch but the average yards per pass play, including incompletions.)

WIDE RECEIVERS, YARDS PER TARGET (70-plus attempts)
Player	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
Jaylen Waddle, Mia.	117	75	1356	11.6	8
A.J. Brown, Phi.	145	88	1496	10.3	11
Darius Slayton, NYG	71	46	724	10.2	2
Tyreek Hill, Mia.	170	119	1710	10.1	7
Terry McLaurin, Was.	120	77	1191	9.9	5
Justin Jefferson, Min.	184	128	1809	9.8	8
Jerry Jeudy, Den.	100	67	972	9.7	6
Mike Williams, LAC	93	63	895	9.6	4
George Pickens, Pitt.	84	52	801	9.5	4
Tee Higgins, Cin.	109	74	1029	9.4	7
Tyler Boyd, Cin.	82	58	762	9.3	5
Stefon Diggs, Buff.	154	108	1429	9.3	11
JuJu Smith-Schuster, K.C.	101	78	933	9.2	3
Gabriel Davis, Buff.	93	48	836	9.0	7
Brandon Aiyuk, S.F.	114	78	1015	8.9	8
Mike Evans, T.B.	127	77	1124	8.9	6
Tyler Lockett, Sea.	117	84	1033	8.8	9
DeVonta Smith, Phi.	136	95	1196	8.8	7
Amari Cooper, Cle.	132	78	1160	8.8	9
Chris Olave, N.O.	119	72	1042	8.8	4
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cle.	96	61	839	8.7	3
CeeDee Lamb, Dall.	156	107	1359	8.7	9
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, K.C.	81	42	687	8.5	2
Keenan Allen, LAC	89	66	752	8.4	4
Davante Adams, L.V.	180	100	1516	8.4	14
Jakobi Meyers, N.E.	96	67	804	8.4	6
Christian Kirk, Jac.	133	84	1108	8.3	8
Cooper Kupp, LAR	98	75	812	8.3	6
Richie James, NYG	70	57	569	8.1	4
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det.	146	106	1161	8.0	6
Allen Lazard, G.B.	100	60	788	7.9	6
JaMarr Chase, Cin.	134	87	1046	7.8	9
Courtland Sutton, Den.	109	64	829	7.6	2
Alec Pierce, Ind.	78	41	593	7.6	2
DJ Moore, Car.	118	63	888	7.5	7
Brandin Cooks, Hou.	93	57	699	7.5	3
Garrett Wilson, NYJ	147	83	1103	7.5	4
Noah Brown, Dall.	74	43	555	7.5	3
DeAndre Hopkins, Ari.	96	64	717	7.5	3
DK Metcalf, Sea.	141	90	1048	7.4	6
Chris Moore, Hou.	74	48	548	7.4	2
Drake London, Atl.	117	72	866	7.4	4
Mack Hollins, L.V.	94	57	690	7.3	4
K.J. Osborn, Min.	90	60	650	7.2	5
Chris Godwin, T.B.	142	104	1023	7.2	3
Josh Palmer, LAC	107	72	769	7.2	3
Curtis Samuel, Was.	92	64	656	7.1	4
Parris Campbell, Ind.	91	63	623	6.8	3
Zay Jones, Jac.	121	82	823	6.8	5
Deebo Samuel, S.F.	94	56	632	6.7	2
Adam Thielen, Min.	107	70	716	6.7	6
Marquise Brown, Ari.	107	67	709	6.6	3
Michael Pittman, Ind.	141	99	925	6.6	4
Marvin Jones, Jac.	81	46	529	6.5	3
Demarcus Robinson, Balt.	75	48	458	6.1	2
Russell Gage, T.B.	70	51	426	6.1	5
Diontae Johnson, Pitt.	147	86	882	6.0	0
Robert Woods, Ten.	91	53	527	5.8	2
Michael Gallup, Dall.	74	39	424	5.7	4
Chase Claypool, 2tm	79	46	451	5.7	1

I take this as evidence that while some have some interest in newcomers like Jalin Hyatt and Parris Campbell, Slayton won’t be disappearing from New York’s offense anytime soon. I expect he’ll continue to line up outside, contributing some downfield catches. Hyatt caught 5 TDs in game against Alabama last year, but I don’t see him zooming by Slayton right away.

At the same time, it’s tough to envision Slayton moving the needle statistically. With limited red zone usage, he caught only 2 TDs all of last year, and now there’s more other talent around him (including Darren Waller).

Despite being efficient last year, Slayton still finished as only the 52nd-best wide receiver (using PPR scoring). That’s a rare combo. In the 32-team era (which includes 21 seasons), only 100 other wide receivers have averaged over 10 yards per pass play while seeing at least 70 targets. Only one of those players finished with even worse individual numbers than Slayton (Malcom Floyd of the 2009 Chargers). Only 10 of those 100 failed to put up top-40 numbers.

Typically when a player is efficient like Slayton was last year, he’ll finish with top-40 overall numbers. (I do not see Slayton moving up into that top 40 at his position).

As with the previous chart, the “Avg” shows not the average yards per catch but the average yards per pass play, including incompletions. Players who ranked outside the top 40 (using PPR scoring) tagged with black dots. The 101 players are in descending order via yards per target.

WIDE RECEIVERS AVERAGING 10 YARDS PER TARGET
Year	Player	Tgt	Rec	Yards	Avg	TD	PPR	Rk
2018	Tyler Lockett, Sea.	70	57	965	13.8	10	222.4	16
2011	Jordy Nelson, G.B.	96	68	1,263	13.2	15	284.3	4
2010	Mike Wallace, Pitt.	98	60	1,257	12.8	10	249.6	9
2019	A.J. Brown, Ten.	84	52	1,051	12.5	8	217.1	22
2014	DeSean Jackson, Was.	95	56	1,169	12.3	6	209.6	23
2011	Malcom Floyd, S.D.	70	43	856	12.2	5	158.6	38
2019	Stefon Diggs, Min.	94	63	1,130	12.0	6	218.1	21
2011	Victor Cruz, NYG	131	82	1,536	11.7	9	289.9	3
2020	Will Fuller, Hou.	75	53	879	11.7	8	188.9	32
2021	Deebo Samuel, S.F.	121	77	1,405	11.6	6	343.2	3
2017	JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pitt.	79	58	917	11.6	7	197.7	20
2022	Jaylen Waddle, Mia.	117	75	1,356	11.6	8	261.2	8
2021	Kendrick Bourne, N.E.	70	55	800	11.4	5	182.8	32
2004	Lee Evans, Buff.	74	48	843	11.4	9	194.8	29
2021	JaMarr Chase, Cin.	128	81	1,455	11.4	13	306.6	5
2017	Tyreek Hill, K.C.	105	75	1,183	11.3	7	247.2	8
2017	Ted Ginn, N.O.	70	53	787	11.2	4	159.6	34
2014	Kenny Stills, N.O.	83	63	931	11.2	3	173.9	39
2020	Justin Jefferson, Min.	125	88	1,400	11.2	7	274.2	6
2019	• Mike Williams, LAC	90	49	1,001	11.1	2	161.3	41
2010	DeSean Jackson, Phil.	95	47	1,056	11.1	6	211.0	20
2007	Santonio Holmes, Pitt.	85	52	942	11.1	8	197.9	24
2005	Santana Moss, Was.	134	84	1,483	11.1	9	286.0	6
2018	Mike Evans, T.B.	138	86	1,524	11.0	8	292.4	9
2019	Chris Godwin, T.B.	121	86	1,333	11.0	9	276.1	2
2008	Steve Smith, Car.	129	78	1,421	11.0	6	260.1	8
2021	Tyler Lockett, Sea.	107	73	1,175	11.0	8	241.4	16
2007	Greg Jennings, G.B.	84	53	920	11.0	12	217.0	18
2020	Nelson Agholor, L.V.	82	48	896	10.9	8	185.6	34
2016	Julio Jones, Atl.	129	83	1,409	10.9	6	259.9	6
2015	Sammy Watkins, Buff.	96	60	1,047	10.9	9	218.8	20
2008	Vincent Jackson, S.D.	101	59	1,098	10.9	7	217.7	19
2009	Sidney Rice, Min.	121	83	1,312	10.8	8	262.2	11
2011	Steve Smith, Car.	129	79	1,394	10.8	7	268.0	8
2009	Vincent Jackson, S.D.	108	68	1,167	10.8	9	239.8	13
2013	• Doug Baldwin, Sea.	72	50	778	10.8	5	158.4	42
2018	Tyreek Hill, K.C.	137	87	1,479	10.8	12	334.0	2
2004	Santana Moss, NYJ	78	45	838	10.7	5	160.6	38
2004	Ashley Lelie, Den.	101	54	1,084	10.7	7	204.9	27
2011	Laurent Robinson, Dall.	80	54	858	10.7	11	205.8	20
2020	Corey Davis, Ten.	92	65	984	10.7	5	193.4	29
2011	Marques Colston, N.O.	107	80	1,143	10.7	8	242.3	10
2009	Hakeem Nicks, NYG	74	47	790	10.7	6	162.8	33
2009	Miles Austin, Dall.	124	81	1,320	10.6	11	278.8	6
2011	Calvin Johnson, Det.	158	96	1,681	10.6	16	361.2	1
2010	Kenny Britt, Ten.	73	42	775	10.6	9	175.5	33
2018	T.Y. Hilton, Ind.	120	76	1,270	10.6	6	239.0	14
2013	DeSean Jackson, Phil.	126	82	1,332	10.6	9	269.4	12
2004	Brandon Stokley, Ind.	102	68	1,077	10.6	10	235.7	16
2004	Reggie Wayne, Ind.	115	77	1,210	10.5	12	269.6	9
2016	Adam Thielen, Min.	92	69	967	10.5	5	197.2	30
2009	Mike Wallace, Pitt.	72	39	756	10.5	6	155.4	36
2011	Mike Wallace, Pitt.	114	72	1,193	10.5	8	245.0	9
2018	• DeSean Jackson, T.B.	74	41	774	10.5	4	151.3	43
2005	Steve Smith, Car.	150	103	1,563	10.4	12	339.8	1
2018	• Josh Gordon, 2TM	71	41	737	10.4	4	138.7	48
2015	Doug Baldwin, Sea.	103	78	1,069	10.4	14	268.9	11
2006	• Donte Stallworth, Phil.	70	38	725	10.4	5	140.5	46
2013	Josh Gordon, Cle.	159	87	1,646	10.4	9	314.4	3
2007	Joey Galloway, T.B.	98	57	1,014	10.3	6	194.5	26
2013	Jordy Nelson, G.B.	127	85	1,314	10.3	8	264.4	13
2022	A.J. Brown, Phil.	145	88	1,496	10.3	11	303.6	5
2018	Brandin Cooks, LAR	117	80	1,204	10.3	5	243.2	13
2017	Marvin Jones, Det.	107	61	1,101	10.3	9	225.1	12
2014	T.Y. Hilton, Ind.	131	82	1,345	10.3	7	260.5	11
2019	Kenny Golladay, Det.	116	65	1,190	10.3	11	250.0	9
2004	Eddie Kennison, K.C.	106	62	1,086	10.2	8	222.1	21
2009	• Malcom Floyd, S.D.	76	45	776	10.2	1	128.6	56
2012	Jordy Nelson, G.B.	73	49	745	10.2	7	167.5	37
2005	Eddie Kennison, K.C.	108	68	1,102	10.2	5	212.5	18
2022	Darius Slayton, NYG	71	46	724	10.2	2	130.4	52
2021	Cooper Kupp, LAR	191	145	1,947	10.2	16	439.5	1
2004	Torry Holt, St.L.	135	94	1,372	10.2	10	291.2	4
2010	Mario Manningham, NYG	93	60	944	10.2	9	208.6	21
2008	Bernard Berrian, Min.	95	48	964	10.1	7	195.0	26
2020	A.J. Brown, Ten.	106	70	1,075	10.1	11	249.5	11
2014	Randall Cobb, G.B.	127	91	1,287	10.1	12	297.4	7
2010	• Anthony Armstrong, Was.	86	44	871	10.1	3	149.1	43
2010	Greg Jennings, G.B.	125	76	1,265	10.1	12	274.4	5
2020	DJ Moore, Car.	118	66	1,193	10.1	4	211.5	25
2020	DK Metcalf, Sea.	129	83	1,303	10.1	10	273.3	7
2011	Julio Jones, Atl.	95	54	959	10.1	8	203.5	21
2013	Demaryius Thomas, Den.	142	92	1,430	10.1	14	319.0	1
2004	Johnnie Morton, K.C.	79	55	795	10.1	3	156.8	39
2014	Jordy Nelson, G.B.	151	98	1,519	10.1	13	327.9	3
2022	Tyreek Hill, Mia.	170	119	1,710	10.1	7	347.2	2
2016	• DeSean Jackson, Was.	100	56	1,005	10.1	4	180.5	41
2014	Odell Beckham, NYG	130	91	1,305	10.0	12	297.0	8
2009	Marques Colston, N.O.	107	70	1,074	10.0	9	232.0	16
2012	Demaryius Thomas, Den.	143	94	1,434	10.0	10	297.4	5
2016	Brandin Cooks, N.O.	117	78	1,173	10.0	8	246.3	10
2002	Amani Toomer, NYG	134	82	1,343	10.0	8	264.5	7
2012	Dez Bryant, Dall.	138	92	1,382	10.0	12	303.7	3
2012	Lance Moore, N.O.	104	65	1,041	10.0	6	205.1	21
2020	Chris Godwin, T.B.	84	65	840	10.0	7	191.0	31
2006	• Bryant Johnson, Ariz.	74	40	740	10.0	4	137.7	48
2019	Amari Cooper, Dall.	119	79	1,189	10.0	8	246.5	10
2019	• Randall Cobb, Dall.	83	55	828	10.0	3	156.9	42
2008	Lee Evans, Buff.	102	63	1,017	10.0	3	186.9	29
2013	Keenan Allen, S.D.	105	71	1,046	10.0	8	223.6	18
2014	Emmanuel Sanders, Den.	141	101	1,404	10.0	9	301.8	5

—Ian Allan

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Today's Trivia

Jalen McMillan was picked 92nd in the draft, after two other receivers from his college team had already been chosen (Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk). What two schools in the history of the draft have had three receivers picked even sooner? Looking at the 1988 and 2000 drafts.

View Answer

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