Ex-NFL GM urges New York Giants to draft ‘explosive’ WR Malik Nabers

The New York Giants hold the sixth overall selection in the 2024 draft and will be in a position to select either a franchise quarterback or stud wide receiver.

The numbers favor the Giants this year. There are four quarterbacks who are being given “franchise” labels: USC’s Caleb Williams, Drake Maye of UNC, LSU’s Jayden Daniels, and J.J. McCarthy of Michigan.

There are also three “can’t-miss” wideouts in Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison, Jr, Malik Nabers of LSU, and Washington’s Rome Odunze.

No matter who gets selected in the first five, there will be two studs left for the Giants to choose from with the sixth pick.

Rick Spielman — a former general manager for two NFL teams (Miami and Minnesota) who is now an analyst for CBS Sports — believes Nabers is the Giants’ best bet if he is there at No. 6.

The Giants addressed their offensive line in free agency and, in Rick’s words, “stole” Brian Burns from the Panthers via trade. Still, they need playmakers, and Nabers is “the most explosive player with the ball in his hands after the catch (in this class), probably the fastest receiver up in this area, so he’s going to bring an instant impact and big-play ability to the New York Giants offense.

Nabers may not be there now after a monster pro day that may have put him ahead of Harrison and Odunze and into the top five in this draft.

Many will urge them to take a quarterback in the first round as the Giants’ QB room is not exactly awed by the rest of the league. They have Daniel Jones returning from a torn ACL and red-flagged because of his chronic neck condition.

They signed Drew Lock to a one-year, $5 million deal in free agency last month as insurance but if Lock was considered a potential starter surely he would not have been available this offseason.

Then there’s Tommy DeVito, the local kid who became a folk here last season. He’s been grounded and it’s uncertain if he’ll even make the 53-man roster this summer.

Nabers would come right in and give the Giants that shot in the arm that other LSU wideouts before him such as Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase gave theirs.

Currently, the Giants’ depth chart at wide receiver lacks a big-time name that throws a scare into opposing defenses. Nabers will certainly do that.

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Wide receivers dominate New York Giants mocks

Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

From Pro Football Network:

Don’t count out the Giants as a team that could move up for a quarterback, but they could also decide to stick with the guys on their roster already. If so, they’ll have elite options at other positions, such as in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.

We don’t officially know how fast Malik Nabers is on the field, but the film tells us the kid can fly. His acceleration jumps out on tape, adding to an offense that already features the speedy Jalin Hyatt. The Giants don’t necessarily need a quarterback if their current ones just need to get the ball to their speed demons and let them eat after the catch.

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Breakdown of Giants’ 6 picks in ESPN 7-round mock draft

Jan 2, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) runs past Purdue Boilermakers defensive end Nic Caraway (5) during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6-0

Weight: 200

RAS: N/A (incomplete testing)

PFF rank: 4th

Takeaway: Understandably so, Nabers is a very popular pick for the Giants in these mock drafts. He is widely considered the second-best receiver in this class and the Giants are in need of a true No. 1 target at the position. Nabers had a huge 2023 season, totaling almost 1,600 yards at 17.6 yards per catch with 14 touchdowns. He ranked top 10 among all receivers in total yards, yards after the catch, yards per route run, and touchdowns. Right away, Nabers can be that go-to target, able to win in all parts of the field and in a variety of ways.

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New York Giants, Malik Nabers had dinner ahead of LSU Pro Day: Report

Ahead of the LSU Pro Day on Wednesday, the New York Giants reportedly had dinner with one of the top prospects at the wide receiver position in the 2024 NFL draft, Malik Nabers.

The news comes from NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, who notes the two sides had a bite to eat together on Tuesday night. Nabers also met with the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars, and is slated to meet with the Arizona Cardinals.

Of those five teams, only the Cardinals and Patriots pick ahead of the Giants, who own the No. 6 overall pick in the first round. Both teams figure to be in the market for a wideout, but the Cardinals are more likely to address that need with their first-round pick than the quarterback-needy Patriots.

Wide receiver remains a glaring need for the Giants, as they have yet to adequately address the position in free agency. Adding Nabers, who is a future No. 1 wide receiver, would be a huge addition.

If it isn’t Nabers, the Giants figure to get a crack at one of the other top-three wideouts in this class, a group that also includes Rome Odunze and Marvin Harrison Jr.

However, Odunze is a far more realistic option than Harrison Jr. to be there when the Giants are on the clock.

While wide receiver is the most likely direction the Giants will go with their first-round pick, it wouldn’t be shocking to see them take a quarterback in that spot if they deem one worthy.



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Giants’ mock draft roundup following initial free agency waves

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) catches a pass against Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) during the second quarter in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Wilson – CBS Sports: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Marcus Mosher – 33rd Team: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Trevor Sikkema – PFF: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Connor Rogers – NBC Sports: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Daniel Jeremiah – NFL.com: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Ryan Fowler – The Draft Network: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

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Giants land LSU WR Malik Nabers in post free agency mock draft

With the initial free agency wave behind us, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah had the New York Giants selecting LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick in a recent mock draft.

Jeremiah wrote that he could see the Giants using that pick on a quarterback, but with Minnesota trading up to pick four to select Michigan’s JJ McCarthy, the top four quarterbacks in this year’s draft were already off the board by the time the Giants were on the clock.

Top receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. went to the Jets at pick five after they traded up, leaving the Giants with either Nabers or Washington’s Rome Odunze at receiver. Offensive tackle Joe Alt was also on the board as well.

Nabers was an integral part of the LSU offense over the last two seasons, lining up both out wide and in the slot. In 2022, he would eclipse the 1,000 yard mark, catching 72 of his 100 targets and scoring three touchdowns.

Then this past season, Nabers would put together a monster year. He was targeted 128 times, catching 70 percent of those throws and totaling almost 1,600 receiving yards at a whopping 17.6 yards per catch with 14 scores.

Nabers finished the season ranked second nationally in yards, along with being tied for third in touchdowns, ninth in yards after the catch (YAC), and third in yards per route run—an efficiency metric for pass catchers.

Nabers is ranked as the fourth overall prospect on Jeremiah’s most recent big board and the third receiver, behind Harrison Jr. and Odunze.

For a closer look at Nabers and what he could bring to the Giants, here is what Jeremiah wrote in his pre-draft scouting report:

“Nabers is a dynamic receiver with outstanding competitiveness and production,” wrote Jeremiah. “He explodes off the line in his release, creating immediate separation. He sets up defenders before snapping off his route. He isn’t afraid to work in the middle of the field and has strong hands to finish through contact. When working back to the quarterback, he prefers to let the ball travel into his body, but his drops are limited.

“He can scoop low throws off his shoes and easily adjusts to balls on his back hip. He does a lot of damage on slot fades, where he uses his speed to win early, and he tracks the ball with ease. After the catch, he explodes through tackles and also has a nasty stiff arm. Overall, Nabers is an electric playmaker who reminds me of DJ Moore with the ball in his hands.”

The Giants have potential at the receiver position with Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Jalin Hyatt. Slayton would average 15.4 yards per catch in 2023 and total 769 yards with four scores.

Robinson finished the season strong after up and down play throughout the year. He would catch 11 passes for 140 yards in the Giants’ final two games. Hyatt, meanwhile, provides a vertical presence but totaled just 373 yards with no touchdowns in his rookie season.

What the Giants need at this position group is that No. 1, go-to target for Daniel Jones, or whoever the quarterback ends up being. With this type of presence in an offense, that player not only can create opportunities for himself, but with the attention he draws and spacing he forces defense to create, this receiver can generate opportunities for others as well.

Nabers certainly has the potential to bring that ability to the offense right away, as he’s able to win in a variety of ways and in different parts of the field.

With where the strengths of this year’s draft class lies, the Giants will have the opportunity to address a few different needs with their sixth pick, whether that be at receiver, bolstering the competition and depth along the offensive line, or potentially even quarterback if there is a prospect they are fond of.

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Giants land top receiver in Dane Brugler’s post-Combine mock draft

The New York Giants could be in the market for a quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft but mock drafters are sticking to their original prediction of Big Blue selecting a top wide receiver.

In Dane Brugler’s latest mock in The Athletic, the Giants opt to select LSU wideout Malik Nabers.

General manager Joe Schoen won’t be able to hide his smile if Nabers is still available at No. 6. Regardless of who’s playing quarterback for the Giants, this offense drastically needs a true X receiver who changes how defenses game plan against it. Nabers is that, and more.

The Giants likely had Washington’s Rome Odunze ahead of Nabers on their wish lit but Brugler has the Chicago Bears trading up ahead of the Giants to No. 5 to snag Odunze away from Schoen and the Giants.

Odunze looks like he’s going to be a slam-dunk stud at the pro level. NFL.com has compared him to the great Larry Fitzgerald.

Also, a lot has happened in the past five days that Brugler may not be taking into account.

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been rocketing up the board after a stellar showing at the NFL Combine and is now considered a top-10 prospect — maybe higher.

In this mock, McCarthy is taken seventh overall by the Minnesota Vikings, who trade up with Tennessee to grab the reigning National Champion.

Giant fans will not sit back quietly if Schoen gets outmaneuvered for both Odunze and McCarthy in the first round.

Nabers seems like a consolation prize here. The Giants will still have major questions at quarterback as Daniel Jones’ health and future are still very much in the balance.

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Giants select receiver ‘eerily similar’ to OBJ in latest NFL.com mock

The NFL mock draft season is in full swing and many of the experts have the New York Giants focusing on bolstering their punchless offense.

In the latest mock from NFL.com, deputy editor Gennaro Filice sees the Giants augmenting their wide receiving corps by selecting LSU’s Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick in this spring’s NFL draft.

Ten years ago, the Giants drafted a playmaking receiver out of LSU who checked in right around 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. Asking the eerily similar Nabers to replicate Odell Beckham Jr.’s spectacular burst onto the NFL scene (SEE: 1,300-plus yards and double-digit touchdowns in each of his first three seasons) is a tall order, but the 20-year-old would undoubtedly give Brian Daboll’s passing attack a necessary jolt of electricity.

Nabers is the latest in a long line of great receivers to come out of Baton Rouge. The Giants can only hope they are getting the next OBJ, Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase.

There still is the issue of who will be on the other end of the passes that will be intended for Nabers, however. Daniel Jones is still rehabbing his knee, Tyrod Taylor is headed for free agency and Tommy DeVito is, well, clearly backup material at the moment.

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New York Giants land WR, QB in latest mock draft by The 33rd Team

Following the conclusion of the regular season, the top of the order for the 2024 NFL draft had been set with the New York Giants slated to pick sixth overall.

Despite recent mock drafts trending toward the Giants taking a wide receiver at No. 6 overall, speculation about general manager Joe Schoen taking a quarterback persists.

In the latest mock draft from Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team, the Giants get the best of both worlds, starting with a stud wide receiver.

With the sixth pick, the Giants select LSU’s Malik Nabers with the top three quarterbacks and Marvin Harrison off the board.

In most drafts, Malik Nabers would be the clear-cut No. 1 WR and a lock to be a top-five pick. But in this draft, he’s not even the second pass-catcher off the board. But the New York Giants get a steal at No. 6 with Nabers, who isn’t that far off from Marvin Harrison Jr. in the class. Nabers can be a bonafide No. 1 receiver for New York, which it has been missing since trading away Odell Beckham Jr. 

In Round 2, the Giants select Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (39th overall) followed by Houston offensive tackle Patrick Paul (47th overall).

The Giants, of course, acquired the 47th pick from the Seattle Seahawks in a trade for Leonard Williams.

A receiver like Nabers could certainly be the focal point of the Giants’ offense, especially if they choose to move on from running back Saquon Barkley and/or tight end Darren Waller.

While it’s uncertain how the selection of Nix would impact Daniel Jones in 2024, conventional logic suggests he’d eventually take over as the starter.

Selecting Paul, however, would signify either giving up on Evan Neal or moving him to the inside to play guard.

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11 prospects New York Giants could be eyeing at 2024 NFL Combine

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Bo Nix, 23, is an experienced hand who has started an NCAA record 61 games at quarterback and set a college football high for completion percentage (77.45) in 2023.

He’s not the biggest or the fastest in this year’s class but he might be the most refined and NFL-ready.

This draft could see a run on quarterbacks early (go figure) and the 6th overall pick could end up being a huge chip for Schoen.

With Daniel Jones’ Giants future in the balance, Schoen will have to weigh whether a player such as Nix — if available — is better suited to lead Big Blue going forward.

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