50 Facts About Malik Nabers: A Comprehensive Look at the New York Giants' Wide Receiver

Early Life and High School Journey

Malik Nabers' journey to the NFL began in Louisiana, where he showcased his talent early on. Let's dive into his formative years and high school career.

1. Birthdate and Age: Malik Nabers was born on July 28, 2003, making him 21 years old as of 2024.
2. Height and Weight: He stands at 6 feet (183 cm) and weighs 200 pounds (91 kg).
3. High School: Nabers played his first three years of high school football at Comeaux in Lafayette, Louisiana.
4. Transfer to Southside High: For his senior year, he transferred to Southside High School in Youngsville but couldn't play due to a transfer waiver denial.
5. High School Rating: Despite not playing his senior year, Nabers was rated as the No. 6 prospect in Louisiana by 247 Sports and Rivals.

College Career at LSU

Nabers' college career at LSU was nothing short of spectacular. His time there set the stage for his future in the NFL.

6. College: Nabers played college football at Louisiana State University (LSU).
7. School Records: He set the school record for receiving yards with 3,003 and receptions with 189 in three seasons.
8. SEC All-Freshman Recognition: In 2021, Nabers earned SEC All-Freshman recognition with four touchdowns.
9. Sophomore Breakout: As a sophomore, he led the conference with 72 receptions.
10. Junior Year Achievements: In his junior year, he recorded 89 catches, 1,569 yards, and 14 touchdowns.

SEC Records and Achievements

Nabers' performance in the SEC was remarkable, earning him a place among the top players in the conference.

11. SEC Records: Nabers capped his career as LSU's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.
12. Consecutive Games with a Reception: He had at least one reception in 37 consecutive games.
13. SEC Leadership: In 2022, he led the SEC in receptions and ranked second in receiving yards.
14. College Stats Summary: His college stats include 28 receptions in 2021, 72 in 2022, and 89 in 2023.
15. College Career Catch Rate Average: Nabers' three-year college career catch rate average is 67.3%.

NFL Draft and Giants Selection

Nabers' transition to the NFL was marked by his selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Here's how it all unfolded.

16. Draft Selection: The New York Giants selected Nabers with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
17. Draft Class Competition: He was in a three-way competition to be the top receiver chosen, alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze.
18. NFL Scouting Combine Performance: Nabers showcased impressive speed with a 4.35-second 40-yard dash.
19. Giants’ Interest: Nabers felt that Giants coach Brian Daboll “really likes” him.
20. Training Camp Performance: Giants reporters have praised Nabers' performance during training camp.

Unique Jersey Number and Historical Significance

Nabers' choice of jersey number has a unique backstory, involving a retired number with historical significance.

21. Number Selection: Initially, Nabers wore No. 9 during training camp but switched to No. 1 after the Giants un-retired the number from Hall of Famer Ray Flaherty.
22. Flaherty Family Consent: With the blessing of Flaherty's family, Nabers proudly wears the No. 1 jersey.
23. Historical Significance: Ray Flaherty played for the Giants from 1926 to 1935, helping the team secure the NFL championship in 1934.
24. Previous Retired Number Reuse: The Giants previously allowed Y.A. Tittle to wear No. 14, even though it had been retired for Cuff.
25. Personal Connection to Numbers: Despite wearing No. 8 at LSU and No. 13 in high school, Nabers preferred not to pay a teammate for a number.

College Stats and NFL Projections

Nabers' college stats and NFL projections highlight his potential and the expectations placed upon him.

26. Nabers’ Preference: Nabers preferred not to buy someone else’s number and approached Giants owner John Mara regarding a retired number.
27. Mara’s Initial Hesitation: Initially, Mara hesitated before deciding to reach out to the Flaherty family.
28. Family Agreement: Ray Flaherty Jr. shared that his daughter wasn’t initially enthusiastic about the idea but eventually agreed.
29. Explosive Playmaker: Nabers is considered an explosive playmaker, ranking in the 92nd percentile for broad jump and vertical jump among wideouts.
30. Route Running Skills: Nabers is a quality route runner who demonstrates advanced knowledge throughout the route tree.

Versatility and Competitive Nature

Nabers' versatility and competitive nature make him a formidable opponent on the field.

31. Physical Strength: Built thickly enough to power through arm tackles and fight for tough yardage, Nabers plays bigger than he measures.
32. Competitive Nature: His competitive nature jumps off the screen, making him a formidable opponent on the field.
33. Versatility: Nabers has the rare ability to be many different wide receiver models.
34. Blocking Ability: He has the functional strength and hands to develop into a plus blocker.
35. Consistency Issues: While he has great hands, Nabers occasionally shows concentration-lapse drops on otherwise routine catches.

NFL Career and Fantasy Football Outlook

Nabers' early NFL career and fantasy football outlook show promise for his future in the league.

36. Zone Coverage vs. Man Coverage: Nabers shows a better grasp vs. zone coverage than man coverage.
37. Fantasy Football Outlook: Nabers is placed among the top picks in the upcoming draft, potentially ranging from a high-end No. 3 to a low-tier WR1 as a rookie.
38. Team Fit: A team serious about the deep game with a quarterback who can consistently place the ball accurately downfield would be perfect for Nabers.
39. Projected First-Round Pick: As of January 21, 2024, Nabers was projected by 84.7% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick.
40. Game Film Evaluation: Despite his elite traits, game film creates questions about Nabers.

NFL Career Stats and Projected Role

Nabers' early NFL career stats and projected role with the Giants highlight his potential impact on the team.

41. Explosive Speed: When he’s ‘on,’ Nabers can easily achieve route leverage and is a master of double moves.
42. Short-to-Intermediate Routes: On short-to-intermediate routes, Nabers would catch it but wouldn’t make much noise after the catch.
43. Drop Facts: Nabers isn’t drop-happy, but his traits don’t consistently match the outcome.
44. NFL Career Stats: As of the 2024 season, Nabers has played two games with the New York Giants, recording 15 receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown.
45. Projected Role: The Giants have provided quarterback Daniel Jones with a formidable weapon in Nabers.

Offensive Strategy and Historical Context

The Giants' offensive strategy and the historical context of Nabers' jersey number add depth to his story.

46. Offensive Strategy: The Giants have an offensive head coach, which typically prefers having a No. 1 receiver.
47. Preseason Performance: During preseason games, Nabers has demonstrated his potential, showcasing his skills and contributing to the team’s offense.
48. Historical Context: The number one jersey, previously retired for Ray Flaherty, holds significant historical value.
49. Family Approval Process: The process of obtaining approval from Flaherty’s family involved polling his family members.
50. Excitement Around Malik Nabers: The excitement around Malik Nabers continues to grow. He was hailed as one of the top wide receiver prospects in recent drafts, alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze.

Malik Nabers: A Rising Star

Malik Nabers is making a name for himself in the NFL. Drafted sixth overall by the New York Giants in 2024, this LSU standout has already shown his potential. With 15 receptions, 193 yards, and a touchdown in just two games, he's off to a strong start. His college career was nothing short of spectacular, setting records for receiving yards and receptions at LSU. Now, wearing the historically significant No. 1 jersey, Nabers carries the legacy of Ray Flaherty with pride. His speed, route-running skills, and competitive nature make him a formidable opponent on the field. As he continues to develop, fans and analysts are eager to see if he can live up to the high expectations. Malik Nabers is definitely a player to watch, and his journey in the NFL is just beginning.