The football viewing world got a chance to see New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers play in primetime on Thursday night. For many, it was the first real exposure to the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Nabers put on quite a show against the Dallas Cowboys. He caught 12 passes for 115 yards from Daniel Jones, not noted for being one of the NFL’s top-tier quarterbacks. Nabers flashed a little of everything a team could possibly want out of a wide receiver, rookie or otherwise.
The route running was expert-level tactics. Take this play where Nabers leaves Cowboys CB Andrew Booth all sorts of lost,
Malik Nabers making guys touch grass 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/OEshvF2TSc
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2024
Nabers wins from the slot. He wins from outside. He wins over the middle. He wins on short throws and transitioning to a runner quickly.
In short, there’s just not much that indicates Nabers is a rookie. In his first four NFL games, the LSU product has 35 receptions for 386 yards and three TDs. For perspective, the Los Angeles Chargers entire wide receiver room has caught 25 passes through three games.
In a season with a lot of rookies off to impressive starts, it’s hard to imagine Nabers not being the front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
