The New York Giants made a bold move by selecting Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFLDraft, hoping he could fill the void left by Odell Beckham Jr. Nabers has been turning heads from the early days of training camp through joint practices with the Detroit Lions, drawing comparisons to the former Giants star.
"Nabers is absurd," said NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY. "I've covered the NFL since 2014, and among the players I've covered, I've never seen a rookie make such a seamless transition. That includes Odell Beckham Jr."
Odell Beckham Jr., drafted 12th overall in 2014, earned Pro Bowl honors in his first three NFL seasons. Nabers, meanwhile, is already impressing in camp, catching 16 of 17 targets during joint practices with the Lions, including contested, toe-tapping sideline grabs.
Despite the excitement, it's important to temper expectations. Comparisons to Beckham, who recorded 91 receptions for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in his rookie season, can be unfair. Young players like Nabers, Caleb Williams, and Jayden Daniels are under immense pressure thanks to high-profile successes like CJ Stroud, Justin Jefferson, and Patrick Mahomes.
Historically, not all first and second-round picks have started immediately. Tom Brady, for instance, entered the NFL as a fourth-string quarterback behind Drew Bledsoe. Developing players before throwing them into the spotlight has been a common practice.
Related: Giants Insider Praises 'Absurd' Nabers After Joint Practice
As of Tuesday, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Nabers fourth among the betting favorites for the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award at +1400 odds. It remains to be seen how much playing time Nabers will get in the preseason opener against the Lions, but his performance so far has generated considerable hype.
While the expectations are high, Nabers has shown that he has the talent and drive to potentially reach and even surpass those lofty comparisons to Beckham. As the Giants look to the future, fans are eager to see if Nabers can become the new star wide receiver the team has been searching for.