On Thursday night, the New York Giants selected Malik Nabers with the No. 6 pick in the NFL draft. The team’s hope is that Nabers can provide the explosive receiving threat they have been missing since Odell Beckham Jr. was selected in 2014. Known for his physicality, elite ball skills, and route-running ability, Nabers caught 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns during an impressive season at LSU.
The Giants had some thought of trading up to select a quarterback with Daniel Jones recovering from ACL surgery and his availability for the start of the season uncertain. However, with Chicago, Washington, and New England all taking quarterbacks with the top three picks, the Giants opted to stick with Nabers. Jones will turn 27 soon and has led the team to one playoff berth in 2022 since becoming their starter in 2019 as the No. 6 overall pick.
Despite this setback, the Giants struggled offensively last season and finished with a disappointing record of 6-11 while missing out on playoffs after making it in 2023. With Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, and Isaiah Hodgins already part of their receiving group, Nabers will join them as they look to revitalize their offense and improve their chances of making it back into postseason contention. The last Giants receiver to surpass 1,000 yards in a season was Beckham in 2018 during his standout years from 2014 to 2016 when he consistently put up big numbers.