Giants’ Malik Nabers looks like a Ja’Marr Chase ‘clone’: Darius Slayton

Malik Nabers has not been with the Giants for even three months, but he’s already leaving a strong impression on his veteran teammates.

While appearing on the “All Facts No Brakes” podcast with Keyshawn Johnson, new teammate Darius Slayton said that Nabers evoked a recent LSU star turned NFL talent.

“In my opinion, he reminds me of Ja’Marr Chase,” Slayton said. “It’s like a clone. They’re about the same size. Dimensionally, they’re about the same. His body movements, it’s actually kind of weird watching him move around.”

Slayton’s analysis seems to have merit, and not just based on both Nabers and Chase coming from the same receiver factory in Baton Rouge.

When Chase participated in the 2022 NFL Combine, he measured 6-foot and ⅜ inches, while Nabers was an even 6-foot.

The two were also basically the same weight at 201 and 200 pounds, respectively.

Both Nabers and Chase tore up the turf from Lucas Oil, posting a 40-yard dash of 4.35 or better and a vertical jump of 41 inches or more.

Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Slayton set a career-high in receiving yards (770) and matched a personal best in catches (50) as he suited up in all 17 games during his fifth year with the Giants in 2023.

However, the Giants had few consistent players get open on a regular basis.

The combination of Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Parris Campbell and Sterling Shepard finished with Pro Football Focus’ worst team receiving grade.

As a result, the organization drafted Nabers No. 6 overall to add an explosive playmaker to an offense that finished 30th in points per game as they bounced between Daniel Jones, Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito at quarterback.

“I think he’s really talented,” Slayton said. “He’s got good hands. For us, our system, the biggest hiccup as a rookie is trying to get down all these terminologies that [Brian] Daboll has for us. But once he gets all that down, I think he’ll have no problem having success.”

If Slayton’s comparison between Nabers and Chase holds true in 2024, it should mean some significant numbers for the Giants’ newest weapon.

Chase was sensational as a rookie, finishing with 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns while being named to the Pro Bowl.

In reuniting Chase with college quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals made it all the way to Super Bowl 2022 before losing to the Rams.

The similarities between Chase and Nabers also appear to extend in their usage and acumens: Both are dangerous deep-ball threats, while also having the capability to be used in the slot and be effective on underneath routes.

Nabers will have his work cut out for him if he wants to match the rookie season production of a fellow Tigers star, but he should have every opportunity to become the Giants’ No. 1 receiver from the start.

Nabers and the rest of Giants report to training camp next week.