The Carolina Panthers should feel secure at the most important position on the field. Former No. 1 pick Bryce Young had a poor rookie campaign and a slow start to his sophomore season. However, after returning from the bench later in the year, Young showed he could be a franchise quarterback.
Now, it’s time to add quality pieces around him, and one NFL analyst predicts the Panthers will sign wide receiver Darius Slayton, who made 30 catches for 573 yards with the New York Giants last season.
Panthers Predicted To Sign Darius Slayton To Upgrade Talent Around QB Bryce Young
After returning to the starting lineup in Week 8, Young recorded a 75.9 QB+ score. That would have ranked 17th on the season, right behind Kyler Murray. It’s not quite elite-level play, but it’s far better than the historically awful company he shared through his first 18 career starts.
The Panthers have gauged the situation and are looking to give Young better company next season. That’s why ESPN’s Matt Bowen predicts they would sign Slayton, who can improve the passing game around Young while stretching the field from perimeter alignments.
“The Panthers’ wide receivers averaged 11.0 yards per catch last season, 30th in the NFL. Slayton caught 39 passes and averaged 14.2 yards per reception in 2024 despite subpar QB play in New York.
“So, Carolina could use Slayton to boost the pass game around quarterback Bryce Young. Slayton is a veteran who can stretch the field from perimeter alignments and make contested catches.”
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Slayton would be a perfect boost to the talent around Young and would serve as the No. 3 option behind Xavier Legette and veteran Adam Thielen. He’s ranked 39th in PFSN’s Top 100 Free Agent rankings, and per Spotrac, the 28-year-old is estimated to earn a two-year, $31.72 million contract, which should be possible for Carolina.
Here’s what PFSN’s Ben Rolfe writes about Slayton’s upcoming free agency: “Slayton has perpetually been viewed as a bubble player the past few seasons, only to emerge as an important starting piece in the Giants’ offense.
“Slayton was no longer the No. 1 wide receiver in 2024 with the emergence of rookie sensation Malik Nabers. However, he still ranked third on the team with 573 receiving yards, while leading New York with 14.7 yards per reception.
“Slayton was far less efficient than 2023, when he led the Giants with 770 receiving yards. His catch percentage dropped from 63% to 55%, and his yards-after-the-catch average fell by nearly half (6.0 to 3.2). In addition, his usage was far more stagnant, as he aligned in the slot just 19% of the time (32% in 2023).
“Slayton has demonstrated he has something to offer as a third receiver with some downfield playmaking potential. However, he doesn’t quite perform at a difference-making level, and it’s easy to see teams preferring to opt for rookies with more untapped upside to fill the role Slayton would occupy.”
However, the Panthers already have a youngster in Legette, and therefore, it would make sense for them to sign Slayton, who Nabers said was a true leader in the locker room and offered tips to Giants receivers.
