Say hello to our new Nabers

April 26, 2024

With the sixth pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the New York Football Giants selected LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers! This 20-year-old stands at six feet and weighs in at 200 pounds. He'll attempt to supplement the star-studded crop of LSU wide receivers that have taken the NFL by storm.

GOT OUR GUY 😎

📺: #NFLDraft April 25-27 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/OjvZLGmubi

— New York Giants (@Giants) April 26, 2024

Malik played three seasons at LSU and his accolades are outstanding. He holds the LSU record for receptions with 189 and accumulated over 3,003 receiving yards. As most avid fans know, LSU is a wide receiver factory, so his holding these records at such an institution says quite a bit about his talent. Not only did he help star quarterback Jayden Daniels become the Heisman Trophy winner this past season, but Nabers had a historic season, racking up a whopping 89 receptions, 1,569 yards, and 14 Touchdowns! 14!

This is the firepower that the Giants have been desperately waiting for in recent years. The G-Men can slate him in as their number one WR immediately. Whether it's a pass deep down the field on a deep fly or something short like a bubble screen, Nabers is an excellent route runner. He can make people miss and, with his game-changing speed, will make teams pay dearly for their mistakes.

Malik appears ready to begin and wants to become a great teammate in the wide receivers room. He also talked about how great his pre-draft meetings were with Coach Brian Daboll and how he got along with everyone so far in those meetings.

While watching the draft and recording our live reaction to the first-round picks, lead Giants reporter for JSN Nikki Gist and I were beyond excited to see Malik in Giants' red, white, and blue for the upcoming season. The video below shows as much. Full disclosure and kudos to Nikki, she didn't waiver at all on Nabers. Malik has been her pick for months. Unlike me, who, of course, was open to the idea of considering a quarterback given Daniel Jones' troubles and injury history, she was steady. I'm thrilled at the Giants' ultimate selection and the front office's wisdom in making it.

Our initial reaction to the Giants drafting #MalikNabers @ number 6. We were both really excited to see Malik being on the Giants! @DBehan @NikkiNic9384 @JSNSPORTINGNEWS @tssfantasy #Giants #lsufootball #LSUTigers #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/RQAr0qMfQI

— TNL_NYG (@tnl_nyg) April 26, 2024

If we had to put a grade on this draft pick, we would have to say it is an A+. We all know the Giants have plenty of holes on this roster. Still, having a player with his skill set on offense will greatly help. He will automatically be their focal point and a good replacement for Saquon Barkley as the face of the offense (and perhaps the franchise, though this is probably premature to say) going forward. I know that the bulk of the fan base wanted to take a quarterback, no matter what. We are sympathetic to that view, but sometimes you can't overthink and disregard player values and overall talents.

As for the picks for night two? I'm excited to see what the Giants' next moves are. They have the 40th pick in Round 2 and the 70th in Round 3. A cornerback and guard would be important additions, both of which are positions requiring a great deal of depth in today's NFL. The Giants do not have a projected starting outside cornerback next to Tae Banks (last year's first-round pick). As for guards, the Giants made some moves during free agency, like adding Jon Runyan Jr and a few other smaller acquisitions, but they could use more help. Should someone on the board when the Giants select next fill these needs, they would be well advised to take them.

Be sure to follow Nikki and Dan on their Social Media account @Nikkinic9384 and @DBehan, and of course their Podcast Page @TNL_NYG.