Giants insider draws parallels between rookie Malik Nabers and Odell Beckham Jr. ahead of debut
Malik Nabers is following in the footsteps of Odell Beckham Jr. and there are observers who are pointing out the similarities. OBJ burst onto the scene in his rookie year and cemented his reputation as someone to watch out for.
Now, at least one NFL insider seems to believe the same can be said of the first pick by the Giants in this year's draft. Art Stapleton, who witnessed Malik Nabers during minicamp, said,
"On Malik Nabers today: I have not seen a receiver have a practice like he did today since Odell. Wish I can give you more than words and the video is the team opts to put out... Jumped off the page, so to speak. If this were training camp, my word."
Malik Nabers could be the deciding factor for Daniel Jones' stay with the Giants if he plays as well as Odell Beckham Jr.
The hype accompanied Malik Nabers right through the draft and it has not waned since. Giants fans will certainly be hoping that he is the one to take over a major part of the offensive output as they look to make it to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus.
And if he does so, then Daniel Jones will have no excuse on his side. He has a mammoth contract extension that he can still work with but he knows that he will be dispensable if he cannot perform well despite having a top wide receiver. It will be particularly important given that Saquon Barkley has left the building and joined divisional rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles.
In short, Daniel Jones is fully responsible for leading the offense and he will have Nabers as his premium weapon, just like Odell Beckham Jr. was once for the Giants. If the wide receiver lives up to his potential and the quarterback is unable to connect and lead them to victories, then New York fans and media are unlikely to give the Giants quarterback a pass.
Even among a deep pool of wide receivers, Nabers was widely considered to be the best among the lot with Marvin Harrison Jr. But the NFL is a different beast compared to college football.
While Daniel Jones will be under a microscope, so will Nabers. So, while the wide receiver can succeed and we can blame the quarterback if he fails to utilize him fully, the rookie must know that appearances in minicamp and training camp are not the real thing and he has to prove it on the field.