Rookies Lead the Way in Fantasy Scoring
The Giants face off against division foe Washington Commanders in Week 9 action. The G-men are struggling to maintain relevance in the NFC East, but have an interesting pair of fantasy relevant offensive weapons, including rookie Alpha WR Malik Nabers and new lead back Tyrone Tracy, Jr.
The only thing that has slowed down Nabers was a Week 4 concussion which sidelined him for two games. When on the field, Nabers is a target dominator (No. 1 36.5-percent Target Share). He will face a Commanders defense that is bottom half against the pass, and on the other side of the ball, a Commanders offense that is top-3 in scoring. That adds up to another high-volume target game for the first round rookie.
Another rookie creating some excitement in the Giants’ offense is fifth round rookie RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. Tracy completed his hostile takeover of the Giants’ backfield in Week 8, when he carried the ball 20 times to Devin Singletary’s two. Tracy rumbled for 145 yards and a TD against the Steelers in Week 8 before sustaining a concussion. Fortunate for fantasy gamers rostering the rookie back, Tracy has cleared concussion protocol ahead of the team’s Week 9 contest against the Jayden Daniels-led Commanders.
Apart from the two exciting rookie playmakers, don’t get excited about starting any other options outside of deep leagues. Wan’Dale Robinson is a decent PPR play and Darius Slayton will have some boom performances, but Nabers and Tracy Jr. will suck up an outsized portion of the volume. Daniel Jones has accounted for just six touchdowns passing on the season and zero rushing. The Giants offense generates just 303.6 (No. 26) yards per game – not an offense to trust in fantasy apart from its flashy new weapons.
– Joel Ybarra, @metaffb
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (concussion) ...
The New York Giants have officially ruled out wide receiver ...
The Pittsburgh Steelers were interested in trading for New ...
The Giants standout WR did not progress through concussion protocol
Giants wideout Malik Nabers has been ruled out for Sunday night’s matchup with the Bengals. Nabers was unable to progress far enough in the league’s concussion protocol to see game action this week. He’ll have another chance in Week 7 to progress through the steps required before the Giants face inter-division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Nabers news is unfortunate for the Giants since they face a Bengals offense that has been effective scoring in recent weeks. Daniel Jones will look to feed Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson when he drops back to pass. The veteran Slayton was the lead target for the Giants when Nabers was out in Week 5. Slayton notched a 8-112-1 receiving line. Fantasy gamers will also be looking to replace Nabers’ production, a difficult task as Nabers leads all WRs with 22.9 fantasy points per game when on the field.
– Joel Ybarra, @metaffb
Giants star wide receiver not likely to be cleared for Week 6
Malik Nabers, who has been the focal point of the Giants offense so far in his rookie season, is not progressing as hoped in the league’s concussion protocol. Nabers suffered a concussion on Thursday, September 26th during the team’s Week 4 game against the Cowboys. He then missed the team’s Week 5 game against the Seahawks, which the Giants won 29-20.
Head coach Brian Daboll told reporters Thursday Nabers was in “the same spot he was yesterday” with regard to progressing in the concussion protocol. Nabers’ next step would be to log a limited practice Friday or Saturday, but it is not looking promising he will be able to clear protocol ahead of the Giants’ Sunday night matchup against the Bengals. The rookie No. 6 overall NFL Draft pick has logged a 38.2-percent (No. 1) Target Share in the four games he has played, and is No. 1 among wide receivers in PPG scoring.
With Nabers sidelined in Week 5, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson and Theo Johnson ran the most routes on the team. Those three were also the top target earners – Slayton with 11, Robinson with 9 and Johnson with 5. They face a Bengals secondary which just gave up 348 yards passing and four passing touchdowns to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.
– Joel Ybarra, @metaffb
Darius Slayton has not appeared for voluntary workouts with the Giants while seeking a contract extension.
Per Jordan Raanan, Darius Slayton is skipping voluntary off-season workouts with the New York Giants. He is in a contract year and is seeking an extension. There has not been much movement to extend Slayton, especially with the impending NFL Draft rich with WR talent.
Despite averaging an underwhelming 44 catches, 664 yards and 3.8 TDs per season, Slayton led the Giants in receiving in 2023, and in 4 of the past 5 seasons. Slayton, known for his blazing speed and knack for big plays when healthy, has given Giants fans exciting moments on the field, but has left fantasy owners wanting more consistency.
Darius Slayton is only guaranteed $2.5 million in base salary this upcoming season and is looking for something longer term. The big news this off-season was the loss of Saquon Barkley, leaving the Giants with a big void to fill, but also many more opportunities for playmakers. It remains to be seen if Slayton will be in the team’s future with fellow WRs Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Isaiah Hodgins and Isaiah McKenzie in tow.
