The Kansas City Chiefs are in a tough spot following the loss of wide receiver Rashee Rice to a potentially season-ending injury in Week 4. One possible solution? Trading for New York Giants receiver Darius Slayton. According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, this move could immediately bolster the Chiefs’ offense: “Another trade of a Giants WR to KC would make a lot of sense. Darius Slayton would be their WR1 immediately.”
This potential deal comes on the heels of Rice’s ACL tear, reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, which significantly weakens Kansas City’s receiving corps. Slayton, a veteran wideout known for his deep speed and ability to stretch the field, would be an intriguing fit for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ high-powered offense. However, the Giants must weigh the risks before pulling the trigger on a trade.
Another trade of a Giants WR to KC would make a lot of sense. Darius Slayton would be their WR1 immediately https://t.co/WQq1f7uH7Q
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) September 30, 2024
Giants Face Tough Decision with Slayton
Trading Slayton now presents several risks for the Giants, particularly with standout rookie Malik Nabers recovering from a concussion. If Nabers misses time, the Giants will need to rely heavily on their remaining receivers, Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt—both of whom have struggled this season.
Robinson, a slot receiver, had a few costly drops during the Giants’ Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Meanwhile, Hyatt has seen limited targets and has even been the subject of trade rumors. Slayton, despite his history of drops (26 since 2019, per Pro Football Reference), remains a valuable asset for a Giants team in desperate need of reliable pass-catchers. He’s averaging 11.3 yards per catch and posted his best performance of the season against the Cowboys with five receptions for 56 yards.
Lessons from the Kadarius Toney Trade
The Giants’ previous trade involving a wide receiver didn’t go as planned. In 2022, the Giants sent Kadarius Toney to Kansas City, a move that ultimately provided mixed results for both teams. While the Giants received a third-round pick (later flipped for tight end Darren Waller), Waller’s tenure in New York ended in disappointment as injuries led to his early retirement.
For the Chiefs, Toney initially made a big impact, helping them secure a Super Bowl victory against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, his time in Kansas City was marred by penalties and injuries, leading to his release. He’s now trying to resurrect his career on the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad.
Travis Kelce's lateral TD on the Chiefs' final drive was called back due to a penalty on Kadarius Toney.
They ended up losing 20-17 to the Bills 😬 pic.twitter.com/s2H3vz1ZpT
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 11, 2023
Is Another WR Trade Worth the Gamble?
For the Chiefs, acquiring Slayton could help fill the void left by Rice, keeping their Super Bowl hopes alive. However, the Giants might hesitate, given their shaky receiving depth and Slayton’s growing value in a struggling offense. While New York could benefit from additional draft capital, especially in a season that’s already off to a 1-3 start, trading Slayton now could hurt their long-term outlook.
Ultimately, both teams will need to carefully evaluate whether another Giants-Chiefs wide receiver trade is worth the gamble.
