Heading into the 2025 season, the Giants are coming off another incredibly disappointing campaign, which saw them go 3-14 and take another step in the wrong direction, putting GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll firmly on the hot seat. But as the team heads into 2025, there's optimism that New York will be an improved squad.
In this series, we’ll break down the depth chart for every position group. This time, we’ll go in-depth at the wide receiver position...
Projected depth chart
Starters: Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson
Backups: Jalin Hyatt, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Zach Pascal, Bryce Ford-Wheaton
Key additions/losses: Signed Pascal and Humphrey in free agency
Top Performers in 2024: Nabers had 109 catches, 1,204 yards, and seven touchdowns
2024 ranking via PFF: Nabers was ninth out of 98 ranked receivers
What Giants receivers have going for them
The Giants were a three-win team last season, so there are plenty of question marks up and down the roster. One thing is for certain, though: Nabers is an absolute force to be reckoned with.
The sixth overall pick was everything the Giants hoped for and more as a rookie, catching 109 passes -- the most ever for a rookie wide receiver. Nabers can do it all: he can stretch the field, he can make defenders miss in space, and he has a knack for getting open. It may be hard to imagine topping a 1,200-yard rookie season, but Nabers could take another leap forward and benefit from better quarterback play from Russell Wilson.
The Giants also have good complementary pieces around Nabers in Slayton, known for his ability to get behind the defense, and Robinson, who is one of the shiftier slot receivers in the league.
Key concern for 2025: Avoiding the sophomore slump
While there's no reason to believe that Nabers will take a step back, it's true that opposing teams now have a full season's worth of tape on him, meaning perhaps they can get a better read on his tendencies.
While it's unlikely, any kind of regression for Nabers could be a big blow to the group, as the roster doesn't have any other receiver who comes close to Nabers as an all-around playmaker.
Player who must step up in 2025: Jalin Hyatt
It feels like we've been saying this about Hyatt every offseason. A touchdown machine at the University of Tennessee, Hyatt hasn't yet found the end zone in two seasons as a pro, primarily because he hasn't shown enough to the coaching staff to merit consistent playing time.
Hyatt undoubtedly has breakaway speed, but he caught just eight passes in 16 games last season and appeared in just 33 percent of the team's offensive snaps.
He has two more seasons left on his contract and has virtually no trade value right now, so Hyatt needs to step up and prove that he belongs in the NFL.
Biggest camp battle: Slayton vs. Hyatt
If Hyatt were to find a permanent spot on offense, it would likely be in the role currently held by Slayton, as someone who can stretch the defense and take any extra attention off of Nabers.
When they Giants selected Hyatt in the third round of the 2023 draft, they likely viewed him as an eventual replacement for Slayton, but he's never taken advantage of his chances.
It's now or never for Hyatt to earn playing time, making him a player to watch during camp.
Overall 2025 outlook
You can make an argument that Nabers is already a top 10-15 receiver in the NFL, and he has the tools to be the very best. With a veteran like Wilson at quarterback, who is know for giving his receivers chances and throwing one of the prettiest deep balls, Nabers and the rest of the group could benefit greatly in 2025.
Like every other spot on the roster, the Giants receivers will need to prove their worth on the field. But on paper, the starting trio of Nabers, Slayton, and Robinson should strike fear in opposing defenses.