Malik Nabers Shows Flashes of Greatness in Giants-Lions Joint Practice
Image Credit: ESPN
The New York Giants haven’t had a game-changing pass catcher since the departure of Odell Beckham Jr. back in 2019. Since that time, New York has tried to bring in different guys to combat the void left on offense by Beckham Jr.; and they’ve been extremely unsuccessful. However, they looked to have found their guy in the 2024 NFL Draft, as their first-round pick, Malik Nabers, seems to be a future star.
It might be premature, but the sixth overall wide receiver from Louisiana State is making national headlines this week. While most of the talk surrounding Nabers is the fight that he was involved in with Lions safety, Kerby Joseph, his play on the field has caught a lot of attention as well.
Despite different radio shows and the talking heads in NFL media arguing about whether on not Malik Nabers was in the wrong for starting a fight, one thing isn’t being brought up enough when talking about the rookie.
Nabers was targeted 18 times against the Detroit Lions over their two day joint practice schedule; that accounts for both 7-on-7, and 11-on-11. He caught 17 of those passes, according to Art Stapleton of the Athletic; two of those catches went for 20+-yard touchdowns.
While his 17 catches for two touchdowns is now being reported on by every Giants beat reporter, they have all said the same thing regarding the 21-year-old. He is, by a far and wide margin, the most impressive player that they have ever covered during a single training camp. That’s high praise from reporters who have seen the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., Saquon Barkley, and Victor Cruz.
Nabers shined against the Giants’ secondary in the early parts of training camp. Credited that the only cornerback who can really keep up with Nabers on the Giants, is sophomore Deonte Banks. The rookie receiver was able to put together his own highlight reel in just under two weeks against his own teammates, as he was carving up Banks, and CB2, Cor’Dale Flott. When Detroit came to town, Nabers was going to have to line up across from Terrion Arnold, the Lions first-round draft pick this year. The two rookies have a lot of history as Arnold played at Alabama, and Nabers of course went to Louisiana State. In fact, in their last season at their respective schools, Nabers caught 10 balls for 171 yards and a touchdown against Alabama’s secondary.
He did more or less the same thing against Arnold in the joint-practices as he made a spectacular touchdown grab on the second day.
As preseason games roll around the corner, Nabers is going to get more media attention as he starts to play in actual games. This is an exciting time for New York at the moment, as they have finally found the guy that they’ve been searching for.