Ravens DC Zach Orr delivers ultimate praise for Giants rookie sensation

Let’s call it what it is: it’s been a long, ugly season for the New York Giants. But even in the darkest days, sometimes a little light breaks through. And for Big Blue, that light is named Malik Nabers. The rookie wide receiver has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable 2024 campaign, and it’s not just Giants fans who are noticing.

Even Baltimore Ravens Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr—whose job is literally to stop him this Sunday—couldn’t help but dish out some major respect.

When asked about Nabers, Orr didn’t just throw out a casual compliment. Nope, he went straight to the top of the WR food chain, comparing Nabers to Bengals superstar Ja’Marr Chase. Yup, you heard that right: Ja’Marr freaking Chase. That’s high praise coming from Orr, a guy who game-plans against Chase twice a year and knows better than most just how terrifying that dude is on the field.

And honestly? It’s not hard to see where Orr is coming from.

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Nabers has been everything the Giants hoped for when they took him sixth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Through 11 games, he’s hauled in 80 catches for 819 yards and three touchdowns—numbers that don’t just lead the Giants but are already climbing the franchise’s rookie leaderboard.

The only players ahead of him in rookie receptions? Giants legends Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley, both with 91. Pretty good company, if you ask me.

But here’s the kicker: Nabers is doing this in one of the most dysfunctional offenses in the league. Erratic quarterback play? Check. An offensive line that sometimes looks like it forgot to show up? Double check. And yet, Nabers is still out there cooking defenders like it’s his personal mission to make Giants games worth watching.

Orr’s comparison to Chase is more than just a compliment; it’s a signal that Nabers isn’t just good—he’s special. Let’s not forget, Chase had one of the most explosive rookie seasons in NFL history. In 2021, he dropped 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns, took home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, and helped the Bengals reach the Super Bowl.

While Nabers isn’t quite on that level yet, the skill set is there. Like Chase, he’s got elite route-running, the ability to make defenders look silly in space, and that rare knack for coming up big in contested-catch situations. Add in his LSU pedigree, and the comparison starts to make a lot of sense.

Zach Orr might be scheming up ways to stop Malik Nabers this Sunday, but even he can’t deny what the rookie brings to the table. And for Giants fans? That’s something to hang your hat on as this brutal season winds down.

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