The New York Giants needed a big time play maker on offense and Malik Nabers didn’t disappoint in his rookie season.
Selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Nabers proved to be the top receiver in the draft in an outstanding debut season in which he hauled in 109 receptions for 1,204 yards and 7 touchdowns. He did all this with no consistency at the quarterback position and not much other help offensively.
What’s on tap for Nabers in Year 2 of his NFL career?
While there is still a question mark at quarterback with Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and 2025 NFL Draft first round pick Jaxson Dart competing for the starting role, Nabers will have a more talented arm throwing him the ball. Wilson is the frontrunner for that role. The veteran quarterback is looking for some rejuvenation in the Big Apple and Nabers is a main reason he signed with the Giants, which already shows how special of a player Nabers is.
“I came here because of him,” Wilson said during an interview with Empire Sports Media. “I really wanted to play with someone who is special like him.”
Can Nabers continue to be a bright spot the sky is gray for the Giants?
The big question facing Nabers heading into the second year of his NFL career is if he can build a special connection with Wilson or whoever is the starting QB for the NY Giants. Can he continue to have dominant games with opposing defenses game planning for his dynamic ability as a receiver? Can the rest of the offense complement his ability and playmaking?
That leads to the biggest challenge for a young, emerging star like Nabers. If none of that works out will he allow frustration to get the best of him?
There have already been times where Nabers appeared to show frustration through his body language on the field. If the Giants aren’t winning and if he does not get the targets he feels he deserves, he must patient in his situation and understand the Giants are building towards something…well hopefully something. Now, he won’t back down from being a diva, nor should he as that is a part of what makes him special. That is what makes any big-time receiver a star in the league.
“I ain’t gonna speak on all receivers, but I’m gonna speak on (expletive), I’m speaking on all receivers,” Nabers said during an appearance on Carmelo Anthony’s 7PM in Brooklyn podcast in early May. “We all feel the same way. We don’t like not getting the ball.”
There should be no problem with him getting the ball in the Giants’ offense, but if there are games he doesn’t, the bigger challenge for Nabers is not allowing personal frustration rip the team down. In those situations, he will need to find other ways to help his team win. That includes being a vocal leader more with how he approaches the game.