What pre-draft scouting reports said about Giants’ Malik Nabers | Sporting News

The New York Giants have a shiny new toy in the wide receiver room after selecting Malik Nabers out of LSU with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

After not being able to trade up for Drake Maye, something they tried on draft night, the Giants opted to stand pat and take the player with the highest grade on their board.

They could have gone after one of the remaining quarterbacks like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, but a report revealed they didn’t have high enough grades on the second-tier quarterbacks.

Here’s what the NFL draft scouting reports said about Nabers ahead of the draft:

NFL draft scouting reports for Giants’ Malik Nabers

Dane Brugler, The Athletic (draft guide):

Overall, Nabers has only average size/strength, but he offers dynamic potential, because of his ability to accelerate/decelerate on command and always make himself available
with his athletic catch-point skills. He projects as a playmaking receiver in the NFL.

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

Nabers is the next big thing coming out of LSU’s receiver room, with the pure explosiveness and talent to be mentioned in the same breath as former LSU stars starring in the league today. Despite a lack of polish and precision as a route-runner, Nabers’ gliding movements and speed alterations seem to disguise the top-end speed and separation potential that await opposing coverages. He’s a bouncy leaper with the athletic ability to make the impossible catches possible. He tucks away accurate throws and displays the toughness and play strength to fight for tight-window victories over the middle. Nabers will need to address his tendency to track and play deep throws with finesse, or his early advantages will turn into 50/50 battles. He can play all three receiver spots and has the profile to become a productive, high-volume target over all three levels as a potential WR1.

Derrik Klassen, Bleacher Report

Overall, it’s easy to see how Nabers could make an instant impact in the NFL. His combination of speed, quickness and yards-after-the-catch skills will translate into explosive plays right away. Nabers can be a twitchy, field-stretching Z from day one with the potential to grow into a more well-rounded player.

Ian Cummings, Pro Football Network

Malik Nabers grades out as a top-10 and blue-chip prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. He’s my WR2 behind Marvin Harrison Jr., and in most other WR classes, the 20-year-old would be a viable WR1 candidate.

Pro Football Focus

Nabers’ movement skills are rare, even for the NFL level. His ability to change direction yet continue to accelerate makes him an open-target specialist in the slot and on the outside. His athleticism demands opposing defenses to account for him at all times. He is a future WR1.

For more Giants coverage, check out Kevin Hickey’s work on Sporting News.