That time of year has arrived when your fantasy football group chat is ringing nonstop with GIFs, promises, and the occasional excuse.
With less than three months until the 2026 NFL season kicks off, GMEN HQ is previewing the New York Giants players who could land on your fantasy football roster.
Today, we start with third-year receiver Malik Nabers, who is far more of a high-risk, high-reward option than Giants fans would’ve hoped.
Is Malik Nabers worth drafting in fantasy football?
When building your preseason fantasy football strategy, I personally suggest focusing more on context than ADP or projected points.
Realistically, Nabers shouldn’t go in the first few rounds while recovering from a lingering knee injury.
If Nabers is selected within the first two rounds, you’re likely in a league with someone who isn’t paying attention or is fine with potentially wasting their pick.
The issue isn’t so much whether Nabers will be ready for Week 1. Instead, it’s when — or even if — Nabers will resume his proper place as the Giants’ No. 1 receiver.
It’s hard not to be concerned about Nabers, given the various setbacks he’s had throughout the offseason.
Giants general manager Joe Schoen has reiterated he expects Nabers to be ready for Week 1, even after missing all offseason workouts.
For the sake of conversation, let’s say Nabers doesn’t make his 2026 debut until Week 3 against old friend Brian Daboll and the Titans.
You’d be asking Nabers to immediately come in with a new offense and a quarterback he still doesn’t have much of a connection with. Remember, Nabers hurt his knee during Jaxson Dart’s first start last September.
Theoretically speaking, Matt Nagy and the Giants could try forcing Nabers the ball. But drafting players off their name while ignoring the reality of their situation is incredibly dangerous.
This isn’t an instance of a player being the best receiver on a mediocre offense with an average at best quarterback. Garrett Wilson has helped win plenty of leagues that way.
If Nabers somehow falls to the fourth round, he’s worth the investment. By that point, you’ll almost certainly have your running back and at least one viable receiving option. But taking him any sooner just because of what he did as a rookie? There are far better WR2 options, and there are even some WR3 candidates we’d feel more comfortable with.
We’re not writing Nabers off, and it’s entirely feasible he plays a pivotal role down the stretch. But you need playmakers in Week 1, and Nabers can’t be trusted.
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