New York Giants WR Malik Nabers in rarefied territory after hot start

If it seems like New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is doing something special this season, your eyes are not deceiving you.

He is.

Although Nabers has only played four games as a pro, he is shattering records and quickly becoming one of the top wideouts and playmakers in the NFL.

Since 2010, only one rookie wide receiver has averaged more receiving yards per game and more first downs per route run than Nabers — former Giants first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr., who broke onto the scene in 2014.

Rookie WRs since 2010. Malik Nabers 🚀 pic.twitter.com/xG4XKXCEaF

— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) September 30, 2024

As you can see, Nabers is ahead of a who’s who of elite wide receivers such as Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua, Ja’marr Chase, Julio Jones, Michael Thomas, and others. Only Beckham is above him.

That is rarified air. For those who criticized his choice to wear the uniform number of a retired player, you must rethink your stance. This is a special player who could find himself one day among the pantheon of Giants greats.

Nabers leads the NFL in pass targets (53) and receptions (35) and is second in receiving yards (386). The former LSU standout is the first player in NFL history to record at least 25 receptions and three touchdowns in his first four NFL games.

Nabers, if he plays 17 games (he is currently dealing with a concussion), is on pace for 225 targets, 148 receptions, 1,640 yards, and 13 touchdowns.

All would be franchise records except the touchdown mark, which he would share with Beckham (2015) and Homer Jones (1967).