The New York Giants had one of the ugliest seasons in franchise history, but through all the dysfunction, one undeniable star emerged: Malik Nabers. The rookie wide receiver was everything the Giants hoped for when they took him sixth overall, and then some. Now, he’s getting the recognition he deserves.
In his latest article for Bleacher Report, Kristopher Knox ranked the best player in the NFL at every age, and for the 21-year-old group, Nabers was the easy choice. It wasn’t just about his numbers—though they were incredible—it was about how he delivered them despite the Giants’ ever-revolving door at quarterback.
“Nabers, who will turn 22 in July, had a phenomenal rookie campaign in 2024. He finished the year with 109 catches, 1,204 receiving yards, seven touchdowns and a Pro Bowl nod. The fact that he was so productive in spite of New York's underwhelming quarterback carousel was truly impressive. Nabers isn't just a future star. He's already arrived as an NFL game-changer. He should be even better if and when the Giants find a long-term solution behind center.”
Malik Nabers is the best 21-year-old in the NFL
It’s almost comical to think about what Nabers accomplished while catching passes from Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock, and Tim Boyle. That’s a group of quarterbacks best suited for a Netflix documentary called Quarterback: CFL Edition, not the supporting cast for a Pro Bowl wide receiver. And yet, Nabers the best he could with what he had and then some.
The most impressive part? He single-handedly made the Giants watchable on Sundays. If it weren't for Nabers, the G-Men wouldn't have been worth the three hours a week.
Nabers beat out guys like offensive tackle Joe Alt, cornerback Terrion Arnold, and cornerback Nate Wiggins. That's a pretty elite group of young stars making an immediate impact in the NFL.
The fact that Nabers was the only Giants player selected in Knox’s article also tells you everything you need to know about the state of this team. No Dexter Lawrence. No Andrew Thomas. No other Giant led their respective group. It's a tough pill to swallow, but it also means if New York ever finds a legitimate quarterback, Nabers could be even better.
The good news: The Giants will have a new quarterback in 2025. The bad news: We have no idea who it’ll be. Maybe they land the No. 1 pick and grab Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. Maybe they sign a veteran like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson to bridge the gap. Maybe they throw caution to the wind and let Sam Darnold take the reins. Who knows?
Whatever they decide, Malik Nabers is already a star, and the Giants cannot afford to waste his time. They failed to capitalize on Odell Beckham Jr.'s prime. They cannot let history repeat itself.