'Very Special Talent!' Giants' Nabers Earns Saleh's Praise

The second the New York Giants drafted LSU receiver Malik Nabers with the No. 6 pick in the NFL Draft, the hype began to mount. It has been more than a half-decade since running back Saquon Barkley heard his name called second-overall and gave fans a true face of the franchise. The anticipation was palpable. Now, a similarly talented prospect has found his way to the Big Apple, and his ascension feels inevitable.

Nabers has held up his end of the bargain throughout camp. He’s shown out against a mediocre group of defensive backs and, in limited preseason showings, flashed the ability to get open in a hurry.

But he hasn’t had his nuclear moment just yet.

There’s a chance it comes this week when the New York Jets host the Giants for a joint practice. On Saturday, the two will clash in their traditional exhibition ahead of the regular season. It may not count, but the football world will be watching.

The stage is set for Nabers to do something the Giants, Detroit Lions, and Houston Texans couldn’t afford him – the opportunity to win against arguably the league’s best cornerback. Sauce Gardner will get to see some of Nabers this week. When not facing off against the two-time All-Pro, D.J. Reed and Michael Carter II will provide a challenge in their own right.

Giants fans are one explosive play away from anointing Nabers as the true second coming of Odell Beckham Jr.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh spoke about Nabers before practice, giving his impressions from a pre-draft cycle that saw New York scout the top of the receiver class.

“Dynamic, elite competitor, freaky, freaky, freaky,” Saleh said . “You could argue that he could’ve been the No. 1 receiver (taken in the 2024 NFL Draft). He’s a very special talent, special mindset. Giants definitely got a really good one.”

Related: Jets Coach Saleh Praises Daboll, Giants Ahead of Joint Practice

Nabers wins with elite athleticism and an innate ability to separate, making him a problem at every level of the field. With the skill set to threaten over the top, turn quick completions into big gains, and open up opportunities for others, Nabers is invaluable to a Giants offense in desperate need of a jumpstart .

Against the NFL’s top trio of cornerbacks, the stage is set for two potential titans of the sport to compete, even if bragging rights are the only thing on the line.