The New York Giants were on the clock. They made the right choice. With the sixth overall pick, they selected wide receiver Malik Nabers from LSU. Many speculated the Los Angeles Chargers would select the former LSU product, but they decided to take OT Joe Alt from Notre Dame instead. Who knows what the Giants would have done if Nabers was selected at five? Fortunately, we won’t have to worry about that. New York has landed their WR1 of the future. Let’s get to know the new Giant.
Extremely Young, Yet Extremely Dangerous
Giants WR Malik Nabers highlights. My life is good. pic.twitter.com/a25VyiCKdg
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) April 26, 2024
Nabers will be just 21 years old when the season starts. He has a bright future ahead of him, and that was evident during his time as a Tiger.
Many didn’t expect much of Nabers coming out of high school. Scouts had him as a mid-round prospect once he was eligible to join the NFL. Could they be any more wrong?
The wideout took a big step from his freshman to sophomore year, increasing his stats across the board and finishing with a 1,000+ yard season in 2022. After seven touchdowns in his first two years at LSU, he broke out completely in 2023. He was LSU’s leading wideout and Jayden Daniels’s favorite target. Nabers would finish with 89 catches for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023, and made a statement to be chosen in the first round this year.
When you watch his tape, you see his explosiveness and ability to get open thanks to his ability to change direction. Overall, he’s a luxury weapon the Giants desperately needed on the roster. Add in his swagger, and this was a home run of a selection.
Why The Pick Makes Sense
The Giants reportedly tried to move up in this year’s draft, more specifically to pick number three overall. A package included the Giants’ first and second-round picks this year, along with a first-rounder next year. In the end, the Patriots declined it.
Thinking about it, it was a blessing in disguise. If you drafted a quarterback at three (Drake Maye or someone else), you would not be able to find a talent like Nabers in the later rounds. Despite a loaded receiver class, there’s a gap between them and the former LSU Tiger. New York pounced when he was still on the board at six, and no one was blinking an eye.
Nabers automatically slides in as the WR1 for a Giants team that suddenly has a formidable wide receiver group (him, Jalin Hyatt, and Wan’Dale Robinson). It will be interesting to see what happens with Darius Slayton, and if he will be a trade target during the draft or stay with the team for 2024 and play the final year of his contract.
If Daniel Jones or Drew Lock is named the starter for 2024, they will have a shiny weapon to throw to. Expect him to be targeted early and often, especially considering the lack of playmakers of Nabers’ caliber.
The team’s most exciting wide receiver since Odell Beckham Jr, it’s time we give a warm welcome to Malik Nabers. Happy you’re a Giant, young man. We’ll be rooting for you.
Make sure to visit Belly Up Sports every week and follow me on Twitter/X! Also, check out me and my co-host Brian Germinaro on the 3rd and 10 Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts!
Featured Image: John Smolek/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
