? Earlier this week, Darius Slayton talked about the speed of the receiving corps. He put it on display Friday, hauling in a perfectly-placed deep pass over the shoulder from Daniel Jones for what would have been a touchdown. Slayton ranks eighth in the NFL in yards per catch (15.0) since he was drafted in 2019 (minimum 80 receptions).
“I think definitely walking away from last season, explosives were the thing we needed more of,” Slayton said. “I think definitely this spring it’s been a conscious effort to push the ball down the field. We have all these guys, like having a bunch of Ferraris, keep them in the garage; take them out to the track. I think that’s kind of been the mindset and maybe why you see a little more of the ball going down the field.”
? Rookie cornerback Deonte Banks, the No. 24 overall draft pick out of Maryland, got on the board with an interception.
“He’s been acceptable to the culture, what we’re trying to build here,” veteran cornerback Adoree’ Jackson said. “And I can’t do anything but really appreciate him and welcome him in the same as us; it takes a lot to gain so much trust and vice versa. He came up with open arms as we did. He’s been a good guy, giving us laughs, singing and stuff, which is pretty cool to see him not shy away or be shy at all and trying to be one of us.”
? There were more close calls in the interception department, but the tally officially stayed at one. Linebacker Cam Brown came the closest but couldn’t secure the football after tipping it to himself a few times.
? Rookie safety Gervarrius Owens, the seventh and final selection in the Giants’ draft class, nearly intercepted a pass in the end zone.
? Cornerback Zyon Gilbert also got a hand on a pass after recording an interception on Wednesday.
? Jones also went deep to rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt for a big gain.
“He can play,” Slayton said of the fellow speedster. “You can see the talent. Not just his speed. He has a little viral video of him telling the coach he can route run and stuff. I think he does route run well. He catches the ball well. I think just all the way around he’s a very talented player.”
? Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor and wide receiver Jeff Smith found a rhythm today, including a nice toe-tapper on the sideline.
? June 5-6, June 8-9, June 13-15 (minicamp)
Read More: Rookie Deonte Banks gets on board with INT at OTA No. 6