The quickest way to fall behind in a fantasy football league is to become complacent and rely on the team you drafted, neglecting the all-important waiver wire. As managers make numerous waiver claims for Week 12, hoping to strengthen their roster, should New York Giants WR Darius Slayton be a priority addition off the waiver wire vs. the Cowboys?
Darius Slayton Heads Into Week 12 as the No. 1 Target for Daniel Jones
Deciphering the Giants’ wide receiver room has been a painful process for fantasy managers these past few years due to inefficiencies both from the team and injuries.
Yet, 2022 has thrown us another curveball, and Slayton has a chance to knock it out for a home run and, in the process, be a potential late-season waiver wire addition that could push your team over the edge.
On Sunday, Giants rookie Wan’Dale Robinson suffered a torn ACL, per head coach Brian Daboll. It’s another unfortunate event on the highly controversial MetLife turf. Robinson was busy catching nine of his 13 targets for 100 yards, but it was Slayton that should be catching the eye of fantasy managers.
Slayton had no problem taking over and continuing his recent form. The veteran caught five of his 10 targets for 86 yards on Sunday to finish as a top-20 receiver for the second straight week. Moreover, he’s finished with 60 yards or more in each of his last three games.
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Entering Week 11, Slayton was the WR32 for fantasy in his previous five games with a healthy 20% target share and 33.4% air-yard share. Slayton ranks 16th at the position in receiving yards since Week 7 with 305, despite the Giants having their bye fall on Week 9. Additionally, Slayton is the WR6 in YPRR over the last five games.
With the Giants likely to lean on Slayton for the remainder of the year, should he be a top waiver wire claim for Week 12?
Should Slayton Be a Top Waiver Wire Priority for Fantasy Managers in Week 12?
At this point, it’s turning into a bit of a process of elimination. This is also very similar to last year, as Giants’ receivers eliminated themselves from the conversation rather than needing to decipher their value weekly.
With Robinson joining Sterling Shepard on the IR and Richie James dealing with a knee injury, the Giants don’t really have anyone else to throw the ball to at the moment. Isaiah Hodgins has nine career receptions, and Kenny Golladay, well, let’s just say his contract was a robbery and leave it at that.
I sure bet they wish they had a former first-round, speedy receiver with YAC skills who maybe played at Florida right about now. I don’t know; just a hunch.
No question this offense will run through Saquon Barkley. Barkley’s had over 25 opportunities in seven of 10 games and looks as good as we’ve ever seen. But when Daniel Jones wants to throw the ball, which has been surprisingly often as of late, his primary read will be Slayton.
Slayton’s Upcoming Schedule Is a Bit Concerning
The only downside for Slayton will be his upcoming matchups. He plays over 70% of his snaps on the perimeter, which means a potential matchup against Trevon Diggs. That is unless they move him to the left side of the field, as Diggs typically has a right-side alignment.
Then, in Week 14, it’s the Eagles with Darius Slay and James Bradberry. Additionally are two games against the Commanders. All three teams rank inside the top 11 in DVOA vs. No. 1 wide receivers.
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I think Slayton is worth a look off the waiver wire in Week 12. However, I would rather have Treylon Burks, Donovan Peoples-Jones, or Christian Watson at receiver, and Latavius Murray and Isiah Pacheco at running back, depending on team needs.
But if you’re in a 12-team league, and those guys are already gobbled up, Slayton is worth looking at the waiver wire as a low-end WR3/high-end WR4.
