The New York Giants aimed to add a dynamic wide receiver to boost their offense, reminiscent of LSU’s Odell Beckham Jr. a decade ago. They chose Malik Nabers from Cajun country with the sixth pick in the NFL draft on Thursday.
Nabers brings physicality, excellent catching ability, and strong route-running skills to the Giants. He had an impressive performance last season at LSU, making 89 catches for 1,569 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns.
Nabers isn’t aiming to replace Beckham, but rather to carve out his legacy with the Giants. However, matching Beckham’s achievements will be a challenge.
Beckham was the last Giants receiver to surpass 1,000 yards in a season, achieving this feat in 2018. During his prime years from 2014 to 2016, Beckham consistently recorded over 90 catches for more than 1,300 yards each season, scoring a total of 35 touchdowns.
When deciding between Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze, the Giants found both to be highly talented. However, they were particularly impressed by Nabers’ competitiveness and toughness, especially his ability to play through a shoulder injury last season without losing momentum.