The New York Giants selected LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Because I knew he had star potential.
Nabers has had a bit of a rough time so far in his rookie season. He missed two weeks with a concussion, dealt with a scary fall, and most recently has been dealing with hip and groin issues.
His unfiltered comments to the media about how the team was using his talents also put additional pressure on him.
But there are four games left in Week 15 and Nabers still has a chance to set both NFL and Giants records.
Neighbors has 80 receptions this season. The Giants’ record for receptions is 107, set by Steve Smith in 2009. The rookie record is 91, shared by Odell Beckham Jr. (2014) and Saquon Barkley (2018).
Navers is averaging 7.3 receptions per game, which means he should finish the season with 109 receptions, which would be a new franchise record.
One record that will be difficult for Nabers to break is Beckham’s record for rookie receiving yards (1,305), but 1,000 yards is well within his reach.
On Wednesday, Nabers said about 1,000 yards would be a badge of honor for a wide receiver.
“Yeah. I mean, as a receiver, that’s been your landmark for over a year,” he said. “Whether it’s college or league, I want to hit 1,000 yards. Yeah, 1,000 yards is definitely in my head.”
With the two games missed, Nabers will likely win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He’s competing with several quarterbacks (Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams), but his main competition is Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who has 87 receptions this season.
Nonetheless, records and awards aside, Neighbors made the most of the opportunity before him. Considering his issues and the Giants’ constantly spinning quarterback wheel, he’s held up well.
Nabers is the only player in NFL history to have five or more catches in 10 of his first 11 games. His 80 receptions were the most by any player in his first 11 games ever.
Giants fans, the best is yet to come. Please be patient.
