Fact or Fiction: Potential impact of Malik Nabers in Year 1

Malik Nabers will be the most targeted Giants player in his rookie season.

John Schmeelk: Fact – To be honest, I don’t even think it is going to be particularly close. The Giants picked Malik Nabers other offensive weapons still on the board, including Rome Odunze and Brock Bowers. There was something about Nabers that stood out to them, and I have no doubt that Brian Daboll, Mike Kafka, and Shea Tierney are already figuring out ways to get him the ball. As a player that does not only win down the field but can also turn short passes into big gains, it will be easier to scheme up touches early in the season even as he is still learning the offense. I expect him to get the ball in a variety of ways early and often.

Dan Salomone: Fact – Wide receiver has become an instant-impact position, and you don’t draft a player No. 6 overall to ease him in slowly. With that said, Wan’Dale Robinson should give him a good race.

Matt Citak: Fact – This will be close as a fully healthy Wan’Dale Robinson should push for the team lead in targets, but I’m giving the edge to the No. 6 pick. The former LSU wideout finished last season with the most plays of 10+ yards, 20+ yards, and 30+ yards in the nation. With Saquon Barkley now in Philadelphia, the Giants’ offense needs someone to step up as the unit’s top playmaker. Nabers will do this, and he will do this pretty quickly. Getting the ball in the rookie receiver’s hands will be one of the top priorities for the offense this season.

More than two rookies will be Week 1 starters.

John Schmeelk: Fiction – In Week 1, I think there will be two: Nabers and safety Tyler Nubin. By midseason, I think there will be a third: cornerback Dru Phillips. Slot cornerback is one of the toughest positions to play in the National Football League, and it might take some time for him to have all the aspects of his responsibilities straightened out. With his work ethic and intelligence, I would expect him to find his way into the starting lineup by the time the season is a couple months old, but it could be sooner. The dark horse here is tight end Theo Johnson, who could theoretically be out there for the first snap in Week 1 if Darren Waller retires and the team is in a passing posture.

Dan Salomone: Fact – The Giants had three last year: center John Michael Schmitz (second-round pick) and cornerbacks Deonte Banks (first) and Tre Hawkins III (sixth). While two seems like the floor this year, I could see a third turning heads like Hawkins did to earn a starting role. We’ll see how it all plays out starting in a few weeks at OTAs.

Matt Citak: Fiction – Nabers and Tyler Nubin have the easiest paths towards being a Week 1 starter. Dru Phillips will compete in training camp to be the team’s starting slot cornerback, while Theo Johnson’s playing time as a rookie could depend on Darren Waller’s decision. While I fully expect more than two rookies to start multiple games this season, it might be tough for anyone other than Nabers and Nubin to win their respective starting jobs right out of the gate.