Three offseason moves the Giants must make

The New York Giants have been busy adding players Malik Nabers and Brian Burns to the roster, but their work is far from over. 

Here are three moves they should consider if they hope to compete in the NFC East.

Trade WR Darius Slayton

Slayton signed a two-year, $12.2M contract before the 2023 season and finished the year with a career-best 770 yards, ranking him 46th among NFL receivers. 

He skipped the team’s recent OTAs in hopes of getting a new deal but really should be asking for a trade. With Nabers in the fold, Slayton will never be the team’s No. 1 receiver and needs to give way to younger players like Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson.

Slayton carries an $8M cap hit, but a trade would save the Giants $6.4M next season. Now is not the time to make contract demands unless he demands to play for another team.

Cut TE Darren Waller

By trading a third-round pick for Waller in 2023, New York hoped he could regain the 2020 Pro Bowl form that saw him make 107 catches for 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns.

Instead, he gave them 12 games, 52 catches, 552 yards and a single score. With Waller contemplating retirement, New York selected Penn State’s Theo Johnson in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Johnson had seven touchdowns for the Nittany Lions last year and boasts a massive 6-foot-6, 259-pound frame. He could easily mix in with free agent signees like Chris Manhertz and Jack Stoll, and the team could save $11.7M against the cap by releasing Waller in June.

Sign CB Steven Nelson

With Waller off the books, New York could afford to add a veteran cornerback to play opposite Deonte Banks. Many see third-round pick Dru Phillips as more of a slot corner, and even at 31-years-old, Nelson is a better option than Cor’Dale Flott and Tre Hawkins.

Nelson had 48 solo tackles, 12 passes defended and four interceptions for the Texans last season. With nine years of experience (eight as a starter) on four different teams, there isn’t much Nelson hasn’t seen, which could be an asset for new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.