Giants teammates address worries about rookie WR Malik Nabers

Former New York Giants offensive lineman Justin Pugh recently expressed some concerns regarding how rookie Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers will handle being a young star athlete who calls the Big Apple home.

During chats with Steve Serby of the New York Post, Nabers' teammates explained why they're not worried about the 21-year-old getting a big head early into his pro career.

"I just think with him," fellow Giants receiver Jalin Hyatt said, "he’s clearheaded and he wants to be the best. He wants to be the best not just in here, but he wants to be the best receiver in the NFL. Day in and day out he shows that in practice, and it translates to the game. I think even with the success that he will continue to get in his career, I think it’ll help him, it’ll give him more motivation, more confidence in himself and more confidence in [quarterback Daniel Jones] as well."

Dinners and meetings that took place ahead of the draft reportedly helped convince Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen that Nabers wouldn't become a high-maintenance problem as a pro. The sixth overall pick has since been labeled as a weapon who could save Jones' Giants tenure, and Nabers then became the first player in NFL history with 20 receptions and three receiving touchdowns in his first three games.

Pugh and others have mentioned that, similar to Odell Beckham Jr., Nabers may have Hall of Fame talent but could eventually earn a reputation for being a "diva" with the Giants. Big Blue defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence told Serby that Nabers "has a strong mind," and safety Jason Pinnock pointed out that the first-year pro is "a sponge when it comes to veterans speaking to him."

Nabers' next challenge could be related to how he responds to a disappointing outing. ESPN stats show he heads into Thursday night leading the NFL with 37 targets on the season, and logic suggests defensive coordinators will focus their efforts on not being beaten by New York's primary play-maker.

"He expects to win," Giants receiver Darius Slayton said about Nabers. "He expects to make plays, and he does."

It remains to be seen how Nabers may react to losing more than he wins between Thursday's matchup and Week 18.