Malik Nabers, the New York Giants’ sixth overall pick, is making a highlight-filled impression in his first week of NFL training camp. His dismantling of the Giants’ secondary is boosting his 2024 fantasy outlook each and every day.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Nabers has been the team’s target hog, with four early targets in the team’s first-team session. Raanan added that it shouldn’t surprise anyone, especially fantasy owners, if Nabers sees 150 targets from Daniel Jones as a rookie.
Raanan’s colleague Jeremy Fowler gushed about Nabers’ early impact.
“There’s no hiding rookie receiver Malik Nabers, whose ability was on full display this week,” Fowler said. “It doesn’t take long to see and hear the difference from a sedan to a Porsche when the cars pass. Nabers is not a sedan.”
Although Jones and the offensive line are major question marks, Fowler still believes Nabers’ skill set could benefit both. He also noted Jones’ underrated deep ball as a point of optimism for the connection.
“There’s no doubt he will surpass 100 targets if healthy,” Fowler added. “And it wouldn’t surprise to see the Giants utilize the quick passing game and play-action quite often, given the issues protecting Jones. That would provide Nabers with after-the-catch opportunities.”
We’ve seen elite receivers thrive in poor situations, so let’s dive into Malik Nabers’ 2024 fantasy outlook.
MALIK NABERS’ SCOUTING PROFILE
Malik Nabers emerged as a dominant force for LSU, earning recognition as the nation’s top wide receiver during his final season. His elite performance led to unanimous consensus All-America honors and multiple First-Team All-SEC selections.
Despite narrowly missing out on the Biletnikoff Award to Marvin Harrison Jr., Nabers solidified his place in LSU’s storied history, capping his career as the school’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. His consistency and impact on the field were evident, as he became one of only two players in school history to surpass the 3,000-yard mark in receiving yards, showcasing his prowess as a playmaker.
Nabers’ reliability was unparalleled throughout his LSU career, and he rarely went a game without making an impact. His streak of consecutive games with a reception highlighted his consistency and dependability. Even against a rigorous SEC schedule, he remained a focal point of LSU’s offense. He capped his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and was Jayden Daniels‘ top target.
Nabers’ playmaking ability differentiates him from other top prospects. He led the nation with 120.7 receiving yards per game, plays of 20-plus yards (34), and plays of over 30 yards (17). He also increased his target share from 20.7% in 2022 to 26% in 2023 and his catch rate from 72.7% to 84%.
The LSU product made Bruce Feldman’s 2023 ‘Freaks List’ at No. 33. Feldman described Nabers as, “The 6-0, 201-pound junior measured at 1.01 RSImod — reactive strength index modified. This essentially describes Nabers’ ability to complete his max vertical jump at a very fast rate, so along with having a vertical leap of almost 40 inches, he can reach that feat faster than anyone on the team. Nabers also produced 2700 watts peak power on power clean, which is remarkable for a skill player.”
Nabers’ combination of athleticism, hands, and football IQ solidified his status as one of LSU’s all-time great receivers, which should only carry over to the New York Giants.
SUMMARY: MALIK NABERS’ 2024 FANTASY OUTLOOK
As we’ve seen during training camp, Malik Nabers’ talent and target upside deserve fantasy low-end WR2 consideration. Although his ceiling will be capped due to Jones’ faults, he will still be an elite fantasy asset at the receiver position, with league-winning upside at his 38 overall ADP as the QB-WR relationship develops.
Nabers is poised to challenge Marvin Harrison Jr. for the highest target share among rookie receivers, but the quarterback discrepancy is a key reason why Nabers’ current ADP is nearly two rounds after Harrison’s. For example, Nabers went off the board at 3.7, while Harrison was drafted at 2.2 in the RSJ Expert League.
Despite these factors, Nabers’ role in the quick passing game, along with his elite playmaking ability after the catch and ability to take the top off the defense, should provide fantasy owners with blowup weeks and solid, consistent fantasy value. Nabers’ 2024 fantasy outlook currently sits at WR22 (+2 vs ECR) on The Wolf’s 2024 Fantasy Rankings.
