If the Baltimore Ravens are serious about getting over the top and breaking through into a Super Bowl with Lamar Jackson, continuing to bolster the talent in the passing game is a must.
The Ravens were stopped in their tracks in the AFC Championship Game, as their run to the Super Bowl careened to a halt with Jackson completing just 54 percent of his passes with one touchdown to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Even signing Derrick Henry, in arguably the best schematic fit among any of the free-agent running backs who changed zip codes this offseason, will have much impact in the vertical passing game.
While Zay Flowers emerged immediately as a legitimate deep threat, and Rashod Bateman proved when healthy that he can be a reliable big-play weapon, the Ravens would still be wise to continue adding depth at wide receiver. Especially with big-play ability.
Baltimore Ravens Should Trade for New York Giants WR Darius Slayton
Last season, Nelson Agholor caught 35 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns, as the Ravens’ third-receiving option, underscoring a need to upgrade the depth and talent at the position.
Meanwhile, Slayton — despite wildly inconsistent quarterback play throughout his entire career in New York, boasts a career 15.1 yards per catch average with 19 touchdowns.
Since being chosen by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Slayton has caught 220 passes for 3,324 yards and 19 touchdowns.
However, the Giants have high hopes for young receivers Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt, signed Isaiah McKenzie in free agency, and if New York passes on a quarterback will likely land a legitimate top-of-the-depth chart, blue-chip talent at receiver with the sixth overall selection.
Meanwhile, New York would save $3.8 million against the cap in 2024 by trading Slayton.
If the Giants take a receiver with their first-round pick, it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if Schoen works the phones to pull off a deal that sends Slayton in exchange for added draft capital and cap relief.
Even if the Ravens take a receiver at some point in the draft, acquiring Slayton early on would take some of the pressure off needing to reach for one and allow Baltimore to invest their picks in more pressing needs.
What Would a Slayton Trade Look Like?
Depending on what the New York Giants do with the No. 6 overall pick in this year’s draft, Slayton could be expendable during draft weekend.
Should general manager Joe Schoen and the Giants decide not to trade up for a quarterback, or pass up on the opportunity to select one at No. 6 and instead select a blue chip receiver such as LSU’s Malik Nabers or Washington’s Rome Odunze, the Giants could look to add some additional draft capital in exchange for Slayton.
This trade could work well for both sides:
New York Giants Trade: Darius Slayton, 2024 Sixth-Round Pick (No. 183)
Baltimore Ravens Trade: 2024 Fifth-Round Pick (No. 165), 2025 Sixth-Round Pick
New York would gain immediate cap relief, by trading Slayton, and the Ravens would be taking a flier on a veteran receiver who has shown an ability to create separation and create opportunities downfield which could round out a solid receiving corps alongside Flowers and Bateman.
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