Fantasy Analyst Assesses Malik Nabers' Viability in 2026

Malik Nabers is on his way back from an injury, which could affect the New York Giants and fantasy football managers.

So if you are a Giants fan who also is targeting Nabers in your upcoming fantasy draft, it's worth knowing that he is being deemed him a fourth- or fifth-round draft pick, and even a potential bust candidate, despite being selected around No. 30 in drafts.

Nabers was an elite wideout in his rookie season, setting a Giants single-season franchise record for catches (109). He struggled in four games last year, mainly while playing with since-departed quarterback Russell Wilson, before tearing his ACL and meniscus against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Still, Nabers had 18 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns.

Malik Nabers is Being Picked Around No. 30 in Fantasy Drafts

Nabers is struggling to come back from a serious knee injury, which is why Daniel Lewis considered him a potential bust while assessing the wide-receiver board.

"Nabers isn't a lock to be ready at the start of the season after tearing his ACL last season and then undergoing a follow-up procedure in the spring," Lewis wrote. "The Giants are also expected to lean heavily on the run game under offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, making Nabers a risky pick in the second or early third round."

The Giants ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (129.1), with Cam Skattebo only playing eight games before he broke his ankle in Philadelphia in Week 8. Plus, run-first quarterback Jaxson Dart — who only started 12 games — played just one quarter alongside Nabers.

When Healthy, Malik Nabers has 'League-Winning Potential'

The run-heavy offense will have an impact on Nabers' production, but he won't be recovering forever.

So Nabers is worth a draft pick, especially if you can land him in the fourth round.

"When healthy, Nabers has league-winning potential, and he should benefit from playing alongside Jaxson Dart," Lewis wrote. "Nabers has scored at least 14.5 half-PPR points in four of his past seven healthy games."

Nabers had 1,204 receiving yards despite missing two games in his rookie season with a concussion. He also put up those numbers without consistent quarterback play, since Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock each started games for the Giants in 2024.

So a pick of Nabers in your fantasy draft will age well, especially as he gets healthier, develops a better rapport with Dart and the quarterback further figures out Nagy's offense.