Malik Nabers Proving He Can Be Center Of Giants' Offense

When the New York Giants selected Malik Nabers back in April, they knew they were getting a highly talented wideout with a lightning-in-a-bottle type of skill set.

Nabers, who dazzled during his collegiate career at LSU, was expected to make an immediate impact. Through three weeks, however, Nabers has blown initial expectations out of the water, quickly establishing himself not only as New York’s premier pass-catcher but one of the most talented young wideouts in the game. 

He’s been nothing short of sensational working in tandem with QB Daniel Jones, amassing 23 receptions (36 targets) for 271 yards and three touchdowns. It’s truly been remarkable to watch Nabers go to work through three games, considering the questions that will continue to surround the quarterback position for head coach Brian Daboll.

In games against the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, and Cleveland Browns, Nabers showcased his elite ability to separate, haul in tough catches in traffic, and turn short targets into chunk plays. His touchdowns over the early stretch of the campaign have remained instrumental in keeping the Giants competitive, proving that he’s a player who, already at this point in his career, can transcend suboptimal quarterback play.

Entering the 2024 season, the Giants had hoped that Jones could stabilize their situation under center. A reminder that they were in a position to draft a quarterback in April, yet they opted to bet on Jones despite his inconsistencies and limited ceiling at the position.

For most pass-catchers, a lack of consistency, talent, or a bit of both, can severely hinder production. Just take a peek out in Las Vegas for Davante Adams. Timing, chemistry, and trust are all crucial to a quarterback-receiver relationship. But Nabers has shown an incredible ability to adapt, no matter who’s throwing the ball, at whatever depth, and to whatever spot. While credit is also deserved for offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and his ability to scheme touches and space for Nabers within the offense, it’s on the Giants’ sixth overall pick to execute at the end of the day. His ability to find soft spots in zone, only to run away from corners in press has remained on full display.

His performance in Week 3 against Cleveland was arguably his best in the young season. Against a defense anchored by Myles Garrett and a youth-infused secondary focused heavily on disrupting the Giants’ passing game, Nabers found ways to consistently contribute, hauling in eight of his 12 targets for 78 yards and a pair of touchdowns. While the Browns tried to limit his big-play ability at the third level, Nabers adapted, taking advantage of underneath routes and showing his physicality to fight for extra yards after the catch. He can also make plays like this in the red zone.

Despite facing the opposition’s top corner week in and week out, Nabers has consistently shown up. 

As the Giants navigate their quarterback situation, one thing that’s for certain is that Nabers is a foundational piece of the offense in both the short and long term. His ability to produce regardless of matchup or quarterback play has been eye-opening thus far in 2024. While many questions centered around whether he was the correct pick back in April, he has silenced much of that discussion… at least for now. 

While the Giants have continued to add talent at wideout even before Nabers’ name was announced, the LSU product has quickly anointed himself as WR1, and the most talented—and productive—pass-catcher in town since Odell Beckham Jr.