Malik Nabers Emerged as Top 'Safety Net' for NY Giants QBs

When it comes to the long-term state of the franchise, there is nothing more important than how the New York Giants handle their quarterback room next season.

Whether they stick with Russell Wilson for the entire campaign or switch to Jaxson Dart midway through, the team must position its rookie for an auspicious start to what is hopefully a long and successful NFL career. But regardless of who is taking snaps at quarterback, they should have a trusty target to lean on.

Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers feels as close to a sure thing as New York has had since Odell Beckham Jr. exploded on the scene in 2014. Although that union did not last as long as the organization or fan base initially envisioned, the plan is for Nabers to be a Big Blue star for the next decade.

For now, though, New York needs him to be more than just a difference-making pass-catcher. There is an unspoken expectation that the 21-year-old will be the savior of this offense during this transitional phase. While the Giants work out their long-term quarterback situation, Nabers will be a crucial safety net.

When ranking the receivers who were targeted most when their quarterbacks faced pressure last season, Lauren Gray of Pro Football Focus put New York's top offensive playmaker in the No. 6 slot. 

She determined the threat rate by considering the target rate based on the number of routes that receivers run. Nabers' was 19.1 percent, right behind superstar Justin Jefferson (19.2).

"Last year’s sixth-overall draft pick saw 41 targets with his quarterback under duress last season, the most for a rookie receiver since 2020," she wrote. 

"Nabers and Ladd McConkey were the only rookies to be targeted more than 25 times in such situations, and Nabers also tied McConkey with 24 catches.

"He finished with 311 receiving yards, 16 first downs, and four touchdown catches. Nabers also ranked eighth in yards after the catch (79) and yards after contact (35) and generated the fourth-best deep target rate (31.7%) in pressure situations."

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Malik Nabers thrived with NY Giants with less to work with