NFL Rookie Roundup 360: Malik Nabers a true No. 1, Brock Bowers a fantasy X-factor

New York Giants fans will see a player wear the No. 1 for the first time since 1935.  For many fans it will the first time in their lifetime.

Malik Nabers, the outstanding rookie wide receiver out of LSU, will bring the number out of retirement after he was granted permission from the family of former Giants player Ray Flaherty to wear the number.

Malik Nabers will wear the No. 1 proudly

In what is already a highly anticipated season for the No. 6 overall player taken in the 2024 NFL Draft, seeing Nabers create highlights wearing the No. 1 now brings on a special meaning for Giants fans and the franchise beyond him truly being the team’s top wide receiver out of the gates. 

“I’m going to represent their family’s retired number well,” Nabers said, per the team’s official website.  “I’m going to try my best.  I’m grateful that they chose the opportunity to un-retire the jersey and let me wear it.  I’m going to wear it with pride.”

Nabers, who wore the No. 9 through the preseason, is poised to bring some spark to the Giants’ offense following a dismal display offensively in 2023.  Much of that was due to the injury to starting quarterback Daniel Jones, but even when he was healthy, the team struggled due to a lack of explosive playmakers.  By bringing the No. 1 out of retirement, Nabers knows just how much the Giants are counting on him to bring the noise back to the offense.  It really is symbolism in a way.

“It shows how much the organization wants to make me a key factor in the offense,” Nabers continued.  “How much they’re invested in me.  It shows how much this organization put trust on me.”

Brock Bowers an interesting dilemma for fantasy football owners

On the stat sheet, Las Vegas Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers should be an enticing player to take for any fantasy football owner, especially with the production he put up at the University of Georgia. In limited action in the preseason, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Bowers gave Raiders fans a glimpse of how the team plans to use him.

In lining up as a traditional tight end, outside receiver and even in the slot, Bowers will bring a lot of versatility and talent to the Raiders’ offense which should set the stage for a strong rookie year, but will a foot injury that kept him out the rest of the preseason concern fantasy owners?

As of Wednesday, there was still no sign of Bowers on the practice field, but Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has no concerns about the rookie tight end’s ability to be ready by Week 1.  Should fantasy owners take a gamble?  If they do, it could end up paying dividends as Bowers is poised to be a big impact type of player in the Raiders’ offense if he is healthy.  As he proved in Georgia, when he is on the field, he is amazing.

Like Nabers, Bowers will be counted on to be a factor Day 1 in the Raiders' offense, specially playing alongside Devante Adams in the offense. It will be his ability to lineup all over the field and create mismatches that makes him a fantasy darling. Draft him!