As a rookie, New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers flashed all the traits of an elite deep threat.
Turns out, though, as the Giants look ahead to a 2025 season with Russell Wilson likely opening the season as the starting quarterback but No. 25 overall pick Jaxson Dart potentially waiting in the wings to see the field at some point, Nabers, somewhat surprisingly, also has the traits of a top bail-out receiver in the league.
The former No. 6 overall pick out of LSU exploded onto the NFL scene, with an average depth of target of 9.7 yards while averaging 4.4 yards after the catch per reception, according to Pro Football Focus, on his way to posting a 1,204 yards and seven touchdown campaign.
That Nabers managed that kind of production, despite injuries limiting him to 15 games, and wildly inconsistent quarterback play offers a glimpse of the 21-year-old’s big-play ability.
In 2025, there’s a chance that Nabers won’t need to break open deep downfield to put up big numbers or help lift the Giants’ offense.
Malik Nabers a Top ‘Security Blanket’ Wide Receiver
Todd Kirkland | Getty New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers could be a top bail out option for Russell Wilson, or Jaxson Dart.
While Wilson’s propensity for pushing the ball deep in the vertical passing game is likely a tailor-made match for Nabers’ skill set, Pro Football Focus points out that Nabers was among the most targeted players last season when the quarterback was under pressure, making him a top security blanket, as well.
“Last year’s sixth-overall draft pick saw 41 targets with his quarterback under duress last season,” Lauren Gray writes for PFF. “The most for a rookie receiver since 2020. Nabers and Ladd McConkey were the only rookies to be targeted more than 25 times in such situations, and Nabers also tied McConkey with 24 catches. He finished with 311 receiving yards, 16 first downs and four touchdown catches.
“Nabers also ranked eighth in yards after the catch (79) and yards after contact (35) and generated the fourth-best deep target rate (31.7%) in pressure situations.”
According to Pro Football Focus’ rankings, Nabers posted a 19.1 threat ranking, with the quarterback facing pressure, which was just below Minnesota Vikings All-Pro Justin Jefferson, and ahead of San Francisco 49ers emerging star Jauan Jennings.
Having Nabers could come in handy, especially for Wilson, who completed just 42.7 percent of his passing attempts when pressured last season, in Pittsburgh, according to Pro Football Focus.
Whether it is Wilson scrambling away when pressured or having a reliable safety valve for Dart as he adapts to NFL speed and gets comfortable in Giants head coach Brian Daboll‘s system, Nabers has the chance to be a real asset.
The Giants are hoping that an improved offensive line will limit the pressure on Wilson, and possibly eventually Dart, but when defenses do send the heat Nabers might become the quarterback’s best friend and equally adept at pulling off a big play as he is taking the top off a secondary.
Giants Desperately Need Second Receiver to Emerge
Elsa/GettyThe New York Giants desperately need wide receiver Darius Slayton to make strides in 2025.
Nabers is well established as the Giants’ top of the depth chart receiver, and is quickly developing into a multi-faceted threat.
However, behind Nabers is a logjam of uncertainty at receiver, in a season where general manager Joe Schoen, head coach Brian Daboll, and the Giants face significant pressure to deliver a significant improvement.
Nabers was the only Giants’ receiver to surpass 1,000 yards last season, and Darius Slayton, who is slated to begin the season as New York’s No. 2 receiver, has never eclipsed 800 receiving yards and has posted eight receiving touchdowns, just once, as a rookie in 2019.
That spells trouble, regardless of who is behind center.
Over at Pro Football Focus, Trevor Sikkema paints a dire picture of where things stand for the Giants, ranking the receiving corps 24th in the NFL, ahead of the 2025 season kicking off.
“The Giants’ passing attack isn’t just Malik Nabers,” Sikkema writes for PFF. “But he represents the biggest piece of the pie. Nabers earned an 87.1 PFF receiving grade as a rookie despite a terrible quarterback situation. He was the only Giants receiver to earn a single-season receiving grade higher than 65.0 in 2024.
“Tyrone Tracy Jr., Theo Johnson, Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt make up the same group from 2024, which posted a 29th-ranked 67.1 PFF receiving grade.”
If Robinson or Hyatt make a major leap in 2025, it will go a long way towards the Giants fielding a more well-rounded and balanced receiving corps.
However, given the lack of production out of the position last season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Giants try to add a veteran this summer in order to boost Wilson and the offense this fall.
