The Detroit Lions are the only NFC team that has never appeared in the Super Bowl. They want to change that and this offseason, and general manager Bob Quinn is ready to wheel and deal to make that finally happen.
One of the players Quinn will be fielding calls on is Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay, and the New York Giants are in the market for a veteran at that position.
Lions have spoken with multiple teams about a potential trade for Pro Bowl CB Darius Slay, per sources. Any team that trades for Slay would have to compensate Detroit and Slay with a new deal. Other teams believe Slay will be traded this off-season, but Lions adamant on value.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 17, 2020
With approximately $61 million in cap space (and likely more should they cut some veterans in the next few weeks), the Giants should be in on every available player and some that are not.
Darius Slay: 5th most valuable CB since 2014 pic.twitter.com/krUT7vzcra
— PFF (@PFF) February 17, 2020
A deal for Slay is going to be costly. He would first have to be obtained via a trade and then signed to a deal worth top dollar which could eliminate the Giants, who are still in rebuilding mode.
Detroit previously shopped Slay during October’s trade deadline but was on record of seeking compensation similar to what the Rams gave up for CB Jalen Ramsey (two first-round picks and a subsequent fourth). The 29-year-old All-Pro has since made his contract demands known, looking to reset the market and eclipse Xavien Howard’s position-high $15.1 million annually in 2020. The Eagles and Broncos were both in on Slay at the deadline despite Detroit’s outlandish request, making it more than feasible a deal is eventually completed if either agree to Slay’s raise upon landing him. Look for the Lions to address that position with the No. 3 overall pick in April’s draft.
The Giants are chock full of young defensive backs and need a leader, a veteran, out there to bring all the talent together. Slay is a guy who can do that, but the cost seems a bit too high.
Slay is the type of player that a team one or two players away from the Super bowl would add. The Giants are about 10-12 players away from the Super Bowl. They should save their resources and keep building through the draft.
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