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Malik Nabers already has a lot of high expectations to live up to heading into his rookie NFL season. He's a top ten overall first round pick. The Giants desperately need playmakers to step up. And Daniel Jones needs a reliable target to prove once and for all that he is indeed (or isn't) the franchise quarterback the Giants can build around.
Now thanks to a former New York Giants star wide receiver expectations may start to get even loftier. Hakeem Nicks, one of the most productive Giants receivers in franchise history, was signing autographs after an event this past week and was asked about Malik Nabers. His answer to the New York Post:
"He kind of reminds me of myself, looking at his run-after-the-catch. Not one person is going to bring him down. He showed on his film that he can take a little slant and take it to the house, kind of Odell Beckham-style. LSU, they breed some good wide receivers down there. I'm happy with that pick."
That's some high praise coming from Hakeem Nicks, to not only compare Nabers to himself, but also the electric play of Odell Beckham Jr. before he's even played a down in the NFL.
Ex-Giant Hakeem Nicks understands pressure on rookie Malik Nabers: ‘Reminds me of myself’ https://t.co/2nFwqnAbys
— Big Blue United (@BigBlueUnited) May 23, 2024
The comparison actually makes a lot of sense (between Nicks and Nabers). Both were first round picks that could push vertically down the field, win at the point of catch, and add significant yardage with the ball in their hands as well. They both broke out as true sophomores for their respective programs, but then exploded in their final season(s) for absolutely incredible numbers.
The pressure is going to be on for Nabers to make a difference in year one. And he may be leaned upon even heavier than Nicks was back in his first season. When Nicks joined the Giants in 2009 the team still had playmakers like Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, and tight end Kevin Boss. The established targets were already quite impressive.
Nabers will likely slide into a role more similar to Nicks' second season where he was targeted nearly 130 times, hauling in over 1000 yards and 11 touchdowns. And even that total might leave some Giants fans disappointed given the early hype train for Nabers. Hopefully Daniel Jones can get fully healthy and in sync with Nabers so that he is indeed the next Hakeem Nicks or better right out of the gate.
Be looking for more New York Giants coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to watch some Hakeem Nicks highlights to reminisce about his career with the Giants you can check out the video below!
More must-reads:
- One-time Defensive Player of the Year open to reunion with former team
- Free-agent DB Stephon Gilmore addresses playing future
- The 'Multiple seasons with 2000+ scrimmage yards' quiz
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