Giants Now: Malik Nabers ‘in position to make immediate impact’

Malik Nabers ‘in position to make immediate impact’

The 33rd Team recently broke down the rookies in the best position for immediate success in 2024, in which Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers was one of the few players mentioned.

“Nabers gives the Giants the type of receiver who, like peak-(Odell) Beckham, can create a big play from anywhere on the field,” wrote The 33rd Team’s Dan Pizzuta. “He can take a slant to the house or use his speed to win deep down the field.

“Nabers can fit whichever version of the Giants offense they want to run. When Brian Daboll got the most out of Daniel Jones during the 2022 run to the playoffs, it was an offense designed around getting the quarterback out of the pocket and creating yards after the catch on the shortest throws in the league, on average. Nabers can eat up space as he averaged 7.0 yards after the catch per reception last season, per SIS, and his 0.35 broken tackles per reception were the second-most in this draft class.”

Nabers finished the 2023 campaign at LSU with 1,569 receiving yards, which marked his second consecutive year with more than 1,000 yards. He also recorded 89 receptions and lead the FBS in receiving yards while ranking No. 2 in receiving touchdowns at the conclusion of the regular season.

The 20-year-old registered the most 10+ yard plays, 20+ yard plays and 30+ yard plays last year. He finished his collegiate career as LSU’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, and was named Unanimous All-American and first-team All-SEC for his standout 2023 campaign.

Nabers also brought in 72 passes for 1,017 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore in 2022.

“Nabers spent half of his snaps in the slot last season, which continues a trend of the Giants loading up on slot-first players,” wrote Pizzuta. “However, Nabers’ 78th-percentile success rate against press coverage, per Reception Perception, makes a good case that he can live — and thrive — on the outside.”

The young wideout also shined at the LSU pro day earlier this offseason, as he ran an unofficial 4.35 40-yard dash and registered a 42-inch vertical and a 10’9″ broad jump.

Nabers, who doesn’t turn 21 until July 28, was one of the youngest players taken in the first round of this year’s draft.

Here are the rookies mentioned in The 33rd Team’s article:

• QB Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
• WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants
• EDGE Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams
• CB Terrion Arnold, Detroit Lions
• CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Detroit Lions
• S Javon Bullard, Green Bay Packers