No Sophomore Slump: This Record-Breaking Wide Receiver Is Just Getting Started

Malik Nabers did not just come to the New York Giants last season; he exploded. He made things happen and turned some of the Giants' offense around after being drafted to Big Blue in the 2024 NFL Draft. This wide receiver became a record breaker within his rookie year. He torched opposing defenses with 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Giants during one of their worst seasons. He’s been a power house in New York since the dawn of former players Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr. 

Year two is going to be bigger and better for him. Last season, he had a breakout year, which means he will be coming back this year ready to go. Nabers has been able to break into multiple conversations around the league with his uncanny footwork and the burst of energy that this young wide receiver has shown on the field. Since then, he may be feeling good about it, but because of how he moves, he may be a terror on the field to anyone who crosses his path this season. There are a few areas where Nabers has improved, and all of them, during the off-season, have contributed to what his second year as a Giant may look like. 

Nabers' last season needed him to learn how to adapt. The Giants were switching out quarterbacks from week to week at the very end, and it wasn’t good for the offense. However, he most certainly did, and now, during the offseason, he is learning once again. Nabers is finding comfort within the offense with new quarterbacks to throw to. He is learning from them and has taken the time to work on his timing with Russell Wilson. 

Nabers was one of the top reasons that Wilson came to the Giants for this season. There are areas where Nabers is no longer thinking; he’s just reacting when the ball is passed to him. Last season, he spent a lot of time begging for it to be passed to him, where he was wide open. Now that he has demonstrated his confidence with the ball to the coaches and teammates. Nabers is likely to be seen with it more frequently this season. 

Nabers did most of the damage that he needed to last season on the outside. For his second year, the Giants are making it a point to work him into the slot. It gives him more to work with, more areas where he can physically take on the matchups against some of the linebackers and get open when he needs to be. There will be favorable matches for him. He has also spent some time bulking himself up for this coming season. he’s not as small as he was, but he has some added muscle. 

The Giants have also really taken the time this season to rebuild the offense. They have players with a ton of talent that will emerge from every corner of the field. So if opposing teams do try to go after Nabers, they will end up being burned somewhere else. They have players in the backfield who will give the team more firepower. They have emerging players, such as Theo Johnson and rookie Cam Skattebo, who are ready to step into the backfield when needed. Nabers has a huge supporting cast that will put the Giants another step ahead this season. 

Naber's big play chances are really on the higher stakes this year. He has a quarterback who trusts him, and he has rookie Jaxson Dart, whom he will also be working with this season. Wilson has played with players like Nabers before, and he knows how to get the ball moving. When he sees an opening, he goes for it. Most of the time, it is Nabers who is wide open, so there should be no surprises this season.