First-year wide receiver Malik Nabers has been a standout performer for the New York Giants. Despite missing time, Nabers still leads the league with 35 receptions. When he was on the field he accounted for 31.5 percent of the Giants’ yards, 38.2 percent of their passing targets, 43.1 percent of their first downs, and 50 percent of their touchdowns. Nabers has lived up to the hype, but is he being overused? This question needs to be asked and if recent history is any guide, the New York Giants must protect Malik Nabers.
On the New York Giants’ final effort to score a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3, Nabers suffered a concussion. He did not return to the game and the Giants lost to their hated rivals 20-15.
Nabers will miss the game against the Cincinnati Bengals. A concussion is tough to overcome. However, Nabers’ injury may give the Giants time to figure out how to best protect their star player going forward. The offensive scheme may need to be adjusted, and more importantly, the Giants need to create a stronger network of mentors around Malik Nabers.
Malik Nabers is Vulnerable to Big Hits
One of the ways that the Giants have been able to free up Nabers is by moving him around the formation. But with an increased role in the offense, comes the potential for big hits.
In the Giants’ games versus the Washington Commanders and Cowboys, Nabers took a lot of punishment. Both Nick Falato of Big Blue Banter and Dan Duggan of The Athletic broke down the amount of contact Nabers sustained, even before his first concussion. Both the Giants and Nabers need to work on limiting contact. Nabers must learn it’s okay to get out of bounds occasionally.
Former Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz told Clutchpoints, “It just depends on how many hits he’s taking. If he’s open [five] yards away from guys all the time and getting the ball I mean he’ll do fine forever. It’s just a matter of how many hits is he taking, is he in harm’s way, is he getting the ball and getting the first down and getting out of bounds. It’s just a matter of the toughness level he displays and how much he wants to put his head down and get extra yards or just be in the open, get the first downs, get as much meat off the bone and then get down and get out of bounds.”
The Giants’ offensive attack without Nabers against the Seattle Seahawks showed the potential of the Giants’ other weapons. Darius Slayton was able to get chunk yardage down the field. Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. rushed for more than 100 yards in his first start of the season. Distributing the ball to all the Giants’ skill players will allow the Giants to better protect Malik Nabers from injury and sustain his productivity.
Nabers is Vulnerable to the Big City
Playing in New York creates a unique set of challenges for young players. In just one moment, a New York athlete can become a viral sensation everywhere. That’s what Malik Nabers is confronting after just four games. The amount of media coverage on every move he makes on the field and off the field has consequences.
After Nabers’ first four games, the buzz was the Giants may have drafted the best receiver in franchise history. Some fans even argued Nabers was already the best receiver in the league. That kind of hype can feed a young player’s ego and create bad habits.
The Giants don’t need to look far to be concerned. Former Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. became a household name after his memorable one-handed catch against the Cowboys in 2014. Unfortunately, that catch, even to Beckham, was a double-edged sword. The fame brought stardom but put a spotlight on Beckham so big that his off-field antics eventually led to a trade.
OBJ became volatile on the field and distracted off the field. The Giants hope that this week isn’t a bad sign of issues to come. While in concussion protocol, Nabers attended a Travis Scott concert at MetLife Stadium. No team rules were broken, but Brian Daboll was not pleased with the news.
Nabers is still young. He can use the mentorship of a savvy NFL veteran to guide his decision-making. Going to a concert as a 21-year-old isn’t a crime. But not informing your employer when you’re under concussion protocol of your plans is not a good look. A respected voice in Nabers’ ear from the Giants organization can help him thrive in the New York market.
Main Photo: Troy Taormina – USA Today Sports
