Now that the Rams have re-signed Tutu Atwell, do they look to free agency to add another veteran receiver?
The Rams’ Wide Receiver Situation
The 2024 season showcased the Rams’ resilience. Behind veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, breakout running back Kyren Williams, and an improving defense, the team exceeded preseason expectations. However, their postseason exit highlighted a glaring need: wide receiver depth. While Puka Nacua has emerged as a cornerstone, amassing an impressive sophomore campaign, and Cooper Kupp remains on the trade block, the supporting cast has been inconsistent.
Kupp, now 31, carries a hefty $29.78 million cap hit in 2025, per Over The Cap, and his production has waned. Les Snead has indicated bringing Kupp back is the “least likely outcome.” He failed to record a 100-yard game after mid-November in 2024, finishing with 710 receiving yards—a far cry from his 2021 Offensive Player of the Year form. Meanwhile, Demarcus Robinson is set to hit free agency in 2025, and although he provided flashes, but not enough to solidify the WR2 role. Injuries to Nacua and Kupp earlier in the season further exposed the lack of reliable options, forcing rookies like Jordan Whittington into larger roles.
Enter Darius Slayton, a proven veteran with the speed and experience to complement Nacua and potentially replace departing talent. Could the Rams pursue him to shore up their receiving corps?
Giants WR Darius Slayton expects to receive "a lot of interest" in free agency as a "niche" deep threathttps://t.co/wFAzCWpJAK pic.twitter.com/2ZJjrdcYIS
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 5, 2025
Who Is Darius Slayton?
Drafted in the fifth round (No. 171 overall) by the New York Giants in 2019 out of Auburn, Darius Slayton has carved out a solid NFL career. At 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, he’s a field-stretching receiver known for his speed and reliability as a WR2. Over six seasons with the Giants, Slayton has played in 91 games, hauling in 259 receptions on 458 targets for 3,897 yards and 21 touchdowns, per Pro Football Reference. His career average of 15.0 yards per catch underscores his deep-threat ability, with a longest reception of 80 yards.
Slayton’s consistency is notable. In four of his first five seasons, he surpassed 700 receiving yards, peaking at 770 yards in 2023. His 2024 season, however, saw a dip—39 catches for 573 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games—largely due to the emergence of rookie Malik Nabers and the Giants’ quarterback instability. Despite the reduced production, Slayton’s durability (rarely missing games) and big-play potential make him an attractive free agent.
Slayton’s current contract, a two-year, $12 million deal signed in 2023, expires after the 2024 season, making him an unrestricted free agent in March 2025, according to Spotrac. With the Giants likely prioritizing Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson, Slayton has expressed a desire to join a competitive team aiming to win, per an ESPN interview.
Why Slayton Fits the Rams
1. Speed and Complementary Skill Set
Slayton’s ability to stretch the field aligns perfectly with Sean McVay’s offensive philosophy, which thrives on creating space and exploiting mismatches. Nacua, a physical, possession-style receiver, excels in the intermediate range, while Slayton’s speed (he ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL Combine, per NFL.com) could draw defenders deep, opening up underneath routes for Nacua and others. His 15-yard average per catch would add a vertical dimension that the Rams have lacked beyond Kupp’s prime years.
2. Cost-Effectiveness
According to Pro Football Focus, Slayton is projected to command a three-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $12.5 million—a reasonable price for a proven WR2. The Rams, with approximately $44 million in cap space entering 2025 (per Over The Cap), could easily accommodate this deal, especially if they move on from Kupp or restructure Stafford’s contract. Compared to high-end receivers like Tee Higgins or Chris Godwin, Slayton offers similar production at a fraction of the cost.
3. Veteran Presence
At 28, Slayton brings six years of NFL experience, providing stability to a receiving corps that could lose Robinson and Kupp. His durability—playing in at least 15 games in five of his six seasons—ensures reliability, a critical factor given the injury concerns with Nacua in 2024. Stafford, entering his age-37 season, would benefit from a seasoned target who can quickly adapt to McVay’s complex playbook.
4. Immediate Impact
Unlike a draft pick, Slayton wouldn’t require development time. His track record suggests he can step in and contribute from Week 1, helping the Rams maintain their competitive edge in a loaded NFC West featuring the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Arizona Cardinals.
Challenges and Considerations
1. Competition in Free Agency
Slayton has indicated he expects “a lot of interest” in free agency due to his speed and niche as a field-stretcher, per ESPN. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, and Carolina Panthers—all needing receiver help—could drive up his price or lure him with promises of a larger role. The Rams would need to sell him on their Super Bowl contention window with Stafford and McVay.
2. Not a True WR1
Slayton has never been a No. 1 receiver, topping out at 770 yards in a season. If the Rams trade Kupp, they might prefer a bigger name to pair with Nacua, though such a move would strain their cap space. Slayton’s ceiling as a high-end WR2 might not fully replace Kupp’s past production.
3. Draft Alternatives
The Rams could opt for a cheaper, younger option in the 2025 NFL Draft, which features a solid receiver class. Prospects like Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka or Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan could provide long-term value, per CBS Sports’ draft rankings, though they’d lack Slayton’s immediate impact.
4. Giants’ Plans
While unlikely, the Giants could attempt to re-sign Slayton, especially with $56.2 million in cap space (Over The Cap). However, their focus on rebuilding around Nabers and a potential new quarterback makes this a long shot.
The Financial Picture
The Rams’ $44 million in cap space offers flexibility. Releasing or trading Kupp would save $15 million (post-June 1) but incur $14.78 million in dead money, per Over The Cap. Retaining Kupp (doubtful) and signing Slayton is feasible if they restructure Stafford’s $49.5 million cap hit and let Robinson. A three-year, $37.5 million deal for Slayton ($12.5 million AAV) with $20 million guaranteed could fit, leaving room to address other needs like the offensive line or secondary.
What Analysts Are Saying
Analysts have linked Slayton to the Rams as a logical fit. Bleacher Report urged the Rams to trade for him mid-2024 amid their 1-4 start, citing his speed as a remedy for an injury-plagued receiving corps. Postseason analyses, like one from ClutchPoints, identify Slayton as “the free agent to sign” for the Rams in 2025, emphasizing his cost-effectiveness and fit alongside Nacua. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan notes Slayton isn’t franchise-tag material (over $20 million), suggesting a market value closer to Darnell Mooney’s $13 million AAV—well within the Rams’ budget (ESPN).
The Verdict: Likelihood and Impact
The possibility of the Rams signing Darius Slayton hinges on their offseason priorities. Slayton could replace Robinson as a WR3 with upside, forming a group of Nacua, Whittington, Tutu, and Slayton that maximizes Stafford’s talent with the Rams likely drafting a rookie for depth.
Given their cap space, McVay’s track record of maximizing receivers, and Slayton’s affordable projection, the likelihood of this signing is high—perhaps a 70% chance if the Rams prioritize a veteran over a draft pick. His addition wouldn’t make the Rams a juggernaut but would provide stability and explosiveness, keeping them in the NFC playoff hunt.
Rams Les Snead per Adam Grosbard
— WiseguyLA (@WiseGuyLA) March 5, 2025
On Stafford: "Once we sat down it was very obvious we all wanted to continue the partnership"
On scenario Kupp isn't traded: "The least likely"
On Robinson: "He does have things he's gotta work through legally…We appreciate what he's done"
Wrap up
Signing Darius Slayton offers a pragmatic solution to their wide receiver depth woes, blending experience, speed, and value. While not a blockbuster move, it’s a strategic one that could keep Matthew Stafford’s offense humming and Sean McVay’s squad competitive. Whether Slayton dons the Rams’ horns next season will depend on free agency dynamics, but the fit is undeniable—a match worth watching as the offseason unfolds.
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