All New York Giants fans can agree that they are excited to watch rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers in action this upcoming season. General manager Joe Schoen selected him with the team's first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to bolster Big Blue's lackluster passing attack by providing a top target for quarterback Daniel Jones.
As Nabers continues to prove himself at the next level, he is receiving some much-needed experience against one of the NFL's better, younger defensive backs. Giants standout corner Deonte Banks has been matching up with him in practices, and he has enjoyed every second of their battles.
Deonte Banks has taken it upon himself to match up against Malik Nabers in practice
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) July 25, 2024
The two have enjoyed bantering back and forth pic.twitter.com/AzXWFdMYAx
Deonte Banks is enjoying his training camp battles vs. Malik Nabers
"It's been fun [matching up with Malik Nabers]. I like competing against Malik, so it's been fun... He's good, really explosive, really quick."Deonte Banks
Unsurprisingly, Banks and Nabers have been squaring off on the practice field while embracing their competitive spirit on the gridiron. Some clips have surfaced online, and it appears that Nabers has gotten the better of him on several occasions. Needless to say, these 1-on-1 matchups should serve as bragging rights for both of them.
Banks was selected No. 24 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft by the G-Men, so they are two players that the organization has invested a lot into. He was terrific in the second half of his rookie campaign and should blossom into a star for years to come. The Giants also expect Nabers to transform into one of the league's best receivers.
Banks mentioned that Nabers was a big trash talker, and that kind of charisma is often needed in star wideouts — New York's last true WR1, Odell Beckham Jr., was never afraid to jaw at his opponents. Playing mind games is often a tactic receivers use to gain a mental edge on the cornerbacks they line up with.
This might not seem like a big deal on the surface. However, by receiving exposure to a corner of Banks' caliber, the Giants' top draft pick will gain valuable insight that he can use to his advantage in the regular season.