Giants’ Slayton: Nabers a ‘clone’ of Ja’Marr Chase

Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is already drawing rave reviews from the New York Giants, including a lofty comparison ahead of his debut season.

“He reminds me of Ja’Marr Chase; it’s like a clone,” fellow Giants receiver Darius Slayton said on the “All Facts No Brakes” podcast with Keyshawn Johnson.

Slayton added, “Malik’s about 6-foot; 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. He’s really talented. He’s got good hands.”

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Chase with the fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft out of LSU. Nabers, another former Tiger, was selected sixth overall by the Giants this spring.

LSU has become known for producing NFL receivers over the last several years. Justin Jefferson and Odell Beckham Jr. are among the more notable alumni. Nabers entered the 2024 draft as the school’s all-time leading receiver with 189 catches for 3,003 yards during his collegiate career.

Nabers would need to produce an all-time rookie season to replicate Chase’s feats from what was a stellar pro debut in 2021. The Bengals wideout recorded 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns on his way to being named the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Chase further cemented a phenomenal breakout campaign by setting a postseason rookie record with 25 receptions for 368 yards.

Chase has established himself as a No. 1 receiving option in the Bengals’ offense. The 24-year-old has surpassed 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons and earned three Pro Bowl nods.

Slayton noted that the biggest hurdle for Nabers will be picking up the terminology of head coach Brian Daboll’s offense.

“For us, our system, the biggest hiccup as a rookie is trying to get down all these terminologies that Daboll has for us. Once he gets all that down, I think he’ll have no problem having success,” Slayton said.

Slayton has led the Giants in receiving yards over the past two campaigns. With a receiving corps that also features Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt, the Giants are poised to lean on younger options in their passing attack this season.