EAST RUTHERFORD – Malik Nabers sat in front of his locker inside Lincoln Financial Field, attempting to put a bow on his record-setting rookie campaign that also happened to take place during one of the worst campaigns in New York Giants franchise history.
The dynamic wide receiver was not just a bright spot – truth be told, he was THE bright spot in a season that was mostly doom and gloom with very little boom – he emerged as a respected voice in the locker room and a guiding light of sorts for the Giants, the kind of competitor that, at 21 years old, was essentially forced into the role, and through growing pains he shined.
Nabers proved he’s an electric and talented player capable of the spectacular in his first season with the Giants.
And now that it’s over, he wants more – a lot more.
“I’m sure it would mean the most to anybody to come from down low to go up top,” Nabers said when asked about the quest to turn things around for the 3-14 Giants. “Individually, it was a strong year, but there is a lot more I could’ve done out there. A lot I can learn moving onto next year. After the first year it hurts [to go home following the regular season], but I’m going to have it in the back of my head.”
Asked what needs to change for the Giants, with co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch expected to weigh in early this week on the futures of head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, Nabers added: “I don’t know. My job is to catch the football and run routes. We have the right pieces. We have to play as a team. There were a lot of games we lost where it was close and if we would’ve did this right then we would’ve won the game. We have to get the little things right.”
Nabers finished second in receptions for rookies, just three behind Raiders star tight end Brock Bowers (112), as both players eclipsed Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua’s record of 106 established last season. He was second behind former LSU teammate Brian Thomas Jr. in yardage for rookies (1,282 for Thomas in 17 games, two more than Nabers).
Here is a closer look at Nabers’ rookie season by the numbers
4: Number of QBs to throw him passes
7: Touchdown catches
109: NYG record for catches in a season by any player (5th in NFL this year); NFL rookie record for WR
170: Targets (2nd in NFL this year)
1,204: Receiving yards (7th in NFL)
