Malik Nabers was an NFL draft prospect who was selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday. Nabers is a wide receiver out of LSU who was selected by the New York Giants. Here is what his rookie season could look like and how it will affect fantasy football.
Malik Nabers at LSU
Malik Nabers played all three years of his colligate career at LSU. During his freshman year, Nabers racked up over 400 yards and four touchdowns. Heading into his sophomore season it seemed that Nabers would be a key piece of the LSU offense. In his second season, Nabers had over 1,000 receiving yards, but only three touchdowns. Heading into his junior year Mailk Nabers seemed primed to have a massive season. Nabers exceeded those expectations by having over 1500 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in just 13 games.
After the incredible season Nabers had he declared for the 2024 NFL draft. It seemed that Nabers would be the top receiver prospect in the draft until Marvin Harrison Jr also declared for the 2024 draft. This would give the 2024 NFL draft two receivers who were projected to be top 10 picks.
New York Giants
With the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the New York Giants selected Malik Nabers. Rather than drafting a quarterback or offensive tackle, the Giants decide to get Daniel Jones a new weapon.
Ever since the Giants lost Odell Beckham Jr, they have been searching for a new number-one receiver. Over the past few years, the Giants have drafted guys like Jalin Hyatt, and Wan’Dale Robinson hoping to fill that spot. So far, those picks have not worked to how the Giants have wanted.
Fantasy Outlook
Malik Nabers immediately comes into the Giant’s offense as the number one wide receiver. As long as Daniel Jones can stay healthy Naber should be able to have 1,000 receiving yards in his rookie season. With the Giants not having a super explosive offense it seems that it is unlikely that Nabers would have over 1,300 yards in his rookie season, but with rookie receivers taking over the league nothing is impossible.
As for fantasy football Malik Nabers is projected to be a high-round pick similar to Marvin Harrison Jr. According to FantasyPros Malik Nabers is the 54th overall player and 29th wide receiver. This would mean that Malik Nabers is projected to be an early fifth-rounder in 12-team formats.
This seems very low to me, for example, Marvin Harrison Jr is a projected second-rounder while Nabers is a fifth. Three rounds is a large gap, especially for similar situations. Both players are heading into offenses where they are projected to be the number one weapon. I would slot in Nabers around the 40th-best player which would make him an early fourth-round pick.
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