Wide receivers are what you’re talking about if quarterbacks aren’t among the top 10 picks in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
At least three wide receivers—including Malik Nabers of LSU—are probably going to be selected in the top 10.
Rome Odunze of Washington and Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State are just two players whose names have shot to prominence.
It remains to be seen if he can indeed outpace them both, or just one of them, and be chosen before them. In any case, Nabers is among the best receivers in the draft and ought to be selected in the top 10.
However, Nabers’ strong pro day at LSU at the end of March may have helped. Nabers made the most of the NFL Combine despite not attending, showcasing his blazing quickness by finishing the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds. He also measured his vertical leap at 42 inches.
Any NFL team in need of receiver assistance would be excited by those types of figures. The New York Giants, who hold the No. 6 overall pick, are one team in particular that it might draw; they could be the ideal match for the former Tiger.
Malik Nabers might ultimately be the Giants’ top wide receiver.
If you haven’t recently visited the Giants’ wide receiver room, you should be aware that it’s small. Jalin Hyatt, a third-round pick from the previous year, and Wan’Dale Robinson, a 2022 second-round selection, make up the majority of the room.
The Giants added some depth and Isaiah McKenzie, a potential punt returner, in free agency, but otherwise did nothing to address this obvious need.
However, the Giants have been dealing with this issue for some time. Looking back to 2018, the final season of Odell Beckham Jr.’s tenure in New York, the starting wide receivers for the Giants have been Marcus Johnson, Darius Slayton, Kenny Golladay, and Sterling Shepard.
Not quite the most notable bunch of wide receivers. Nabers, according to Pro-Football-Reference, could easily establish himself as the top receiver and become the first player since Beckham to exceed 1,000 yards in a season with his speed and vertical ability.
By keeping the Giants from giving up too much to pick a quarterback, Malik Nabers
There’s always the chance that the Giants try to trade up to acquire a quarterback, or they could choose one at No. 6, whichever is left.
However, it seems unusual, if not outright incorrect, of them to trade away valuable assets in this draft or in subsequent drafts when they have multiple needs to be addressed.
They support a quarterback who needs all the assistance he can get by drafting Nabers, filling a need that hasn’t been filled in more than five years.
Thus, it would be safer—and perhaps even the most sensible—to continue with Jones for one more season rather than selecting a quarterback in order to select one of this year’s more reliable picks in Nabers.
Brian Daboll’s job could be saved by Malik Nabers
Usually, a quarterback has the power to build or ruin a club. That may still be the case for the Giants, but given their current situation—they are only one pick away from signing one of the top three quarterbacks—getting the favorite weapon of the quarterback may at least defuse tensions in New York and preserve Brian Daboll’s job.
Since Daboll’s arrival in 2022, Daniel Jones has established himself as a capable quarterback. When combined, they advanced the Giants to the postseason and turned into the season’s biggest surprise.
A consistent link between Jones and Nabers might help the Giants become competitive if Jones can maintain his protection, which is an issue in and of itself.
Daboll, who has demonstrated his coaching abilities, will have one additional year to devise a plan to lead the Giants to the next level. Although there’s a high demand for a wide receiver, Daboll and the Giants might not have any other options.
