Tag: malik nabers

Daniel Jones wasn’t ‘fired up’ about Giants’ pursuit for successor

It’s no secret by now that the New York Giants were seeking to move on from quarterback Daniel Jones in this year’s NFL draft. They attempted to move up into the top three but could not knock any of the teams selecting there off their respective spots.

Instead, they took what the football gods gave them and selected LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick.

Jones, who is still rehabbing from the ACL surgery that ended his 2023 season after six games, told reporters on Thursday that he wasn’t a fan of the Giants trying to replace him but was ‘fired up’ about the player they ended up picking in the first round.

Jones has been at this game for six summers now and knows that he can only control what he can control. He’s simply going to go out and do his job at camp this year.

“I’m focused on playing the best football I can play… It’s part of it, but I’m fired up we got Malik and I’m looking forward to getting to work,” he said. “Fired up to get Malik. I watched some of his tape in college and he’s a dynamic player.”

Jones took the field at the Giants OTAs on Thursday. He participated in 7-on-7 drills and is progressing. He should be close to being ready for training camp, which opens in a few months.

“He looks good. We’re not putting him in some team stuff, but he’s making progress so that’s why we got him in seven on seven,” head coach Brian Daboll said of Jones. “We’ll take it day-by-day and when he can do more, we’ll put him in more.”

Asked he’ll be ready for Week 1 of the regular season when the Giants host the Minnesota Vikings, Jones was fairly confident he’ll be available.

“I don’t have any doubt about it,” Jones said.



Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

PFF lists Giants’ Malik Nabers among NFL’s top 32 wide receivers

The New York Giants selected LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick in this year’s NFL draft. The dynamic Nabers — without even taking his first NFL snap — is already being considered one of the league’s top pass catchers.

In Pro Football Focus’ latest wide receiver rankings by analyst Sam Monson, Nabers comes in at No. 25.

The second rookie to appear on this list, Malik Nabers brings an exceptional explosive threat to the table. He is extremely fast, sudden as a route runner, and is a big play waiting to happen from the slot or out wide. He gives Daniel Jones the best receiver he has had to throw to thus far in the NFL.

Nabers was the second wide receiver selected in the draft behind Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., who was taken fourth overall by Arizona. Harrison was ranked 21st on this list.

The other rookie on the list, Washington’s Rome Odunze — taken by Chicago at No. 9 — was listed at No. 29 by Monson.

Nabers not only gives the Giants a stud at the position, he enhances an eclectic group of wideouts which include veterans Darius Slayton and Allen Robinson along with young speedsters such as Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

New York Giants WR Malik Nabers not a fan of ‘Century Red’ uniforms

The “Century Red” alternate uniforms unveiled last week to commemorate the New York Giants’ 100th NFL season continue to catch flack — even from within.

After the uniforms were panned by fans and experts, as well as mascots and opponents, Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers also offered up a criticism of sorts.

Although Nabers didn’t outright insult the throwback look, he certainly didn’t celebrate the historic uniforms, either. Rather, Nabers said, it will be difficult to make them look good.

“It’s gonna be hard to swag it out, that’s all I got to say about it,” Nabers said at the NFLPA Rookie Premiere.

How could Nabers pull it off? Even he isn’t sure.

“I don’t know. I’ma have to see when I put it on,” Nabers said.

The Giants will wear the uniforms at least twice during the 2024 regular season, so Nabers will have multiple chances to “swag it out.”



Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Giants’ offense ranked among league-worst following 2024 NFL draft

The New York Giants selected dynamic LSU wideout Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, a move that should help their low-scoring offense improve.

The addition of Nabers may not be enough to move the needle in some critics’ eyes, however. In Bleacher Report’s latest rankings of all 32 NFL teams, Alex Ballentine lists the Giants at No. 30 heading into this season.

It’s a bit of an oversimplification, but the New York Giants offense was one of the worst in the league last season and lost its best playmaker in Saquon Barkley. That’s not a recipe for a much better attack in 2024.

That’s not completely fair, though. They did lose Daniel Jones for all but six games, and he’ll be back. That’s not necessarily a huge upgrade, though. The silver lining for the Giants is they made moves that will give them a better shot at being good—it just might take a year.

Malik Nabers gives them a legitimate No. 1 receiver, and signing Jermaine Eluemunor and Jon Runyan Jr. gives them more functional offensive linemen.

The injuries, which caused the shuttling of offensive linemen and quarterbacks all season, led to much of the inconsistency last year. The Giants averaged just 15.6 points per game. Only New England and Carolina averaged less.

Ballentine does, however, offer some hope for the Giants. As usual, it requires the team to stay healthy and gain some traction with their young core.

Most of the improvement needs to come from young players growing into their roles. Evan Neal is going to get another chance at right tackle. Jalin Hyatt is going to have every opportunity to carve out a large role in the passing game. The same can be said for Wan’Dale Robinson.

Brian Daboll did turn the offense around in 2022 with Jones at the helm. If he stays healthy, Nabers is electric from Day 1 and others step up, this offense could surprise.

The Giants are going to give Jones some rope here once he’s deemed healthy. If he can’t get things going, they could quickly pivot to free agent Drew Lock to see if he can take this offense where it needs to be.

Read all the best Giants coverage at NorthJersey.com and Giants Wire.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Malik Nabers calls off Rookie of the Year bet with Jayden Daniels

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, the sixth overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft, recently revealed that he and former LSU teammate, Jayden Daniels, had a $10,000 running bet on who would be this year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, was Nabers’ quarterback at LSU and the second overall selection in the draft by the Washington Commanders.

On Friday, at the Giants’ rookie minicamp, Nabers told reporters that the bet was off.

The bet was canceled after Nabers and Daniels realized they might be bumping up against the league’s policies on gambling.

“I’m educated now that I got here about sports betting and gambling,” Nabers said. “We’re calling the bet off. There is no bet now. It was just another brother pushing another brother to try to get to success. That’s all it was.”

The competition is far from over, though. Nabers and Daniels will face off twice this season. That is on the back burner for the moment. Nabers has bigger fish to fry, such as learning the playbook and fitting in with his new team.

“For right now, it’s just learning the playbook, interacting with my teammates, interacting with the rookies here. You know, trying to learn how to be a Giant, following the instructions or rules they have here. It’s just being a pro at the end of the day,” he said.

Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts 
 Spotify 
 Google Podcasts

Read all the best Giants coverage at NorthJersey.com and Giants Wire.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

7 things we learned from Day 1 of New York Giants rookie minicamp

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

There weren’t many notable non-rookie tryouts for the Giants with the exception of one: Edge rusher Myjai Sanders.

A third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2022 NFL draft, Sanders spent last season with the Houston Texans after being waived off of injured reserve (IR) by the Cards in October.

In 20 career games (four starts), Sanders has recorded 30 tackles (21 solo, four for a loss), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three passes defensed, seven QB hits and 3.0 sacks.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Malik Nabers sign rookie deal with New York Giants

The New York Giants have signed their top pick in the 2024 NFL draft, LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, to his rookie contract.

Nabers was selected by Big Blue with the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft after a productive career in Baton Rouge with the Tigers.

From the Giants:

Nabers (6-0, 200 lbs.) earned unanimous All-America honors in 2023, when he led the nation with 120.7 receiving yards per contest. He also led the FBS in plays of 20-plus yards (34) and 30-plus yards (17). He finished No. 1 in the SEC in receptions (89) and receiving yards (1,569) and ranked No. 2 in the league in receiving touchdowns (14).

Nabers capped his LSU career as the school’s all-time leader in receptions (189) and receiving yards (3,003). He is one of only two players in LSU history to top the 3,000-yard mark in receiving yards, joining Josh Reed (3,001 yards from 1999-2001). He ranks No. 7 in LSU history in receiving touchdowns with 21 and led the SEC in receptions in back-to-back years. Nabers capped his career with at least one reception in 37 consecutive games.

The signing came right before the Giants began their rookie minicamp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday morning.

Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts 
 Spotify 
 Google Podcasts

Read all the best Giants coverage at NorthJersey.com and Giants Wire.



Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Did New York Giants misstep by passing on QBs in NFL draft?

This week on the Giants Wire Podcast, we recap the 2024 NFL draft and discuss the six selections made by New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen.

The Giants reportedly attempted to trade up for a quarterback but fell short. Did Schoen make enough of an effort? Was Malik Nabers over J.J. McCarthy the right pick at No. 6 overall?

How will the rest of the team’s draft class impact the 2024 regular season?

Additionally, former Giants general manager Dave Gettleman emerged from his hiding spot to throw some shade. What do we make of his “clown” comments? Did he have a point?

And then there’s Saquon Barkley… Upset that Giants fans boo the Philadelphia Eagles? It’s a strange issue to have.

Those topics (and more) are discussed in the latest episode of the Giants Wire Podcast, which is hosted by Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary on X) and joined by site editor Dan Benton (@TheGiantsWire).

The Giants Wire Podcast will air every week during the regular season and occasionally throughout the offseason. You can listen below

Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts 
 Spotify 
 Google Podcasts

Don’t forget to use our playlist to enhance your listening experience:

Read all the best Giants coverage at NorthJersey.com and Giants Wire.



Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Giants’ Malik Nabers projected to finish rookie year with 1,032 yards

When was the last time the New York Giants had an impact rookie on their roster? 2018 with Saquon Barkley? 2014 with Odell Beckham Jr.?

This year, with Malik Nabers — the LSU star receiver the Giants selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft — they could finally have another one.

Mike Clay of ESPN is predicting a productive season from the fleet rookie this fall.

Clay is projecting that Nabers and Marvin Harrison, Jr (taken fourth overall by Arizona) will both follow the path of several other wideouts taken in the top 10 and put up big numbers as rookies.

Clay predicts Harrison will post 1,116 receiving yards and Nabers will be right on his tail with 1,032 yards.

I’m placing these two together because the evidence for why these prop lines are too low is roughly the same for both players. Take a look at the production of wide receivers who, like Harrison and Nabers, were selected with a top-six draft pick over the past decade: Amari Cooper (1,070 yards, 16 games), Sammy Watkins (982, 16), Ja’Marr Chase (1,455, 17), Corey Davis (375, 11), Jaylen Waddle (1,015, 16).

It’s a small sample, but four of the five wideouts produced at least 982 yards, with Davis (who missed five games) the only one to fall short. If we include all rookie WRs during the 10-year span, 16 reached 851 yards, and nine of them cleared 1,000. And several of those performances came prior to the league expanding to a 17-game regular season.

The eight rookie WRs picked in the top 10 who appeared in 12-plus games over the past decade averaged a 24% target share (seven of eight in the 22-25 percent range), which suggests both Harrison and Nabers — who have minimal target competition — will be heavily utilized right out of the gate.

Other analysts and experts are waffling on Nabers’ rookie production citing the Giants’ uncertainty at quarterback. Daniel Jones has not passed for more than 3,205 yards in a season and backup Drew Lock has not passed for over 3,000 yards in any of his four seasons in the NFL.

But Nabers could benefit from being the Giants’ top outside and deep threat as well as an increased number of targets with Saquon Barkley gone and tight end Darren Waller’s possible retirement.

Read all the best Giants coverage at NorthJersey.com and Giants Wire.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Is New York Giants’ receiving corps among the league’s most improved?

The 2024 NFL draft saw several teams upgrade their receiver rooms. Are the New York Giants among the teams that improved the most?

Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus believes so:

Darius Slayton’s ongoing contract discussions combined with the Giants having the worst receiving grade in the league last year left the team in need of some juice at wideout. The team got exactly that in LSU’s Malik Nabers, who led the FBS in receiving grade in 2023 (minimum 15 targets). A staple of Nabers’ game is slipperiness after the catch, as reflected by his 30 missed tackles forced last year.

If Slayton does remain in blue and red, he’ll form a potent one-two punch with the 20-year-old Nabers. Regardless, Nabers provides real insurance, given the inconsistent production of Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt, who each tallied less than 530 yards in 2023.

Beyond Nabers, general manager Joe Schoen was proactive in finding a new tight end. Veteran Darren Waller continues to seriously mull retirement, so the Giants snatched Penn State’s Theo Johnson at 107th overall. Not only did Johnson test incredibly well — with a 9.93 Relative Athletic Score — but he was also a red-zone weapon for the Nittany Lions. His seven touchdowns in 2023 tied for a team high.

Daniel Bellinger projects as TE1 for New York, but Johnson should feature in 12 personnel, which offensive coordinator Mike Kafka ran on 23% of plays in 2023 — the 12th-highest rate in the NFL.

Assuming quarterback Daniel Jones remains under center, both the explosive Nabers and Johnson should augment a poor group from the year before. Both could go a long way in returning the Giants’ offense to its efficient 2022 form.

New York went into the 2023 season with one of the worst receiving corps in the NFL. It was highlighted by Darren Waller, Darius Slayton, Parris Campbell and Wan’Dale Robinson.

Waller was in the back end of his career and not very productive, and it was clear that Slayton, Campbell and Robinson should not be top receiving options on the team. This resulted in the Giants passing for only 3,351 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The deficiency was clear, and the front office decided to address it with a premium draft pick by selecting wide receiver Malik Nabers sixth overall.

In his collegiate career, Nabers totaled 189 receptions for 3,003 yards and 21 touchdowns (14 in his final season). Nabers should be an instant winner on the outside as he is an elite space creator and is electric with the ball in his hands.

The Giants also drafted tight end Theo Johnson, who racked up 77 receptions for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns (seven in his final season) in his collegiate career.

The two rookies totaled more touchdowns last season than the Giants’ entire receiving corps. Only time will tell if the team has really turned the receiving corps around but as of now, it looks good.

Read all the best Giants coverage at NorthJersey.com and Giants Wire.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Exit mobile version