More On: darius slayton
Darius Slayton on Giants WRs after Kadarius Toney pick: ‘Whatever you like, we have’
If Darius Slayton can put aside an SEC rivalry to welcome Xavier McKinney to the Giants, he’s more than happy to do it for Kadarius Toney.
If Darius Slayton can put aside an SEC rivalry to welcome Xavier McKinney to the Giants, he’s more than happy to do it for Kadarius Toney.
Especially when he sees highlights of Toney running around defenders for 477 yards after the catch last season. The Giants added that element to their receiving corps Thursday by drafting Toney to join mainstays Slayton and Sterling Shepard and free-agent additions Kenny Golladay and John Ross.
“He’s an electric, explosive player,” Slayton told The Post. “You draft guys to help improve your team, and I believe we did that.”
So, what will happen when Toney inevitably wears Florida Gators gear into a meeting in front of Slayton, who bleeds for Auburn?
“Auburn and Florida don’t have too much of a nasty history,” Slayton said through a laugh. “If I was able to get along with Xavier and Dalvin [Tomlinson] — two Alabama guys — I think we will be all right. I might have to get him an Auburn hoodie or something.”
The Giants’ offense finished No. 31 in scoring and No. 28 in passing last season.
Now? It looks like they have complementary pieces, with Slayton flying down the sideline, the physical Golladay winning 50/50 balls in the red zone, Shepard working the middle of the field and Toney creating confusion on gadget motion plays. That’s a lot for defenses to consider.
“On tape, we’ve got a little something for everybody,” Slayton said. “Whatever you like, whatever you need, I think we have. It’s just a matter of putting it all together and making it work as one.”
It was priority No. 1 from ownership, through the front office, down to the coaching staff to stack playmakers, even ahead of addressing offensive line and pass rush.
- Giants complete 2021 NFL Draft Tracker
“We’ve added a lot of new faces to the room,” Slayton said. “Any time you add talent, there is a chance for improvement. I’m excited to get back to work with everybody and get this thing rolling.”
Actually, the work already is underway. Slayton was part of the group of offensive teammates — including several offensive linemen, rehabbing running back Saquon Barkley, Shepard and tight end Evan Engram — who gathered to catch passes from quarterback Daniel Jones in Arizona earlier this offseason.
“It shows we have a team that enjoys being around each other,” Slayton said. “A lot of people say, ‘Just get your guys together.’ It’s one of those things that’s a lot easier said than done.
“You have to have a lot of people on the same page and willing to get together and be around each other for days. I think it says a lot about how much the guys on our team like each other that we had so many guys show up and work.”
Slayton announced the Giants’ second-round pick Friday night from Cleveland. Each franchise has a current player or legend making one of its Day 2 picks and Slayton was honored to be chosen by the Giants considering he was a Day 3 (fifth-round) selection just trying to make the team in 2019.
“It’s kind of ironic,” Slayton said. “Two years ago, I wanted to be [picked] on this day. I guess I got here one way or another.”
Slayton planned to wear a nice suit — “My mom should be watching!” — and focus on pronouncing the draft pick’s name correctly as stepped to the podium.
“I try to have my first interaction with a new teammate be a positive one,” Slayton quipped. “If it were to be an Auburn guy, I think it would be hard to contain excitement. But I will do my best to maintain a professional appearance.
“You want your own team to get better, but guys that you know personally, and you know have worked hard and been through a lot to make it this point, that’s what we get the most excited about.”
This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy
