EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Malik Nabers contorted his body in the air in the corner of the end zone to make a leaping touchdown grab over Cor’Dale Flott during a minicamp practice Thursday.
It was the finishing touch on an afternoon that was dominated by the rookie receiver.
“You know, that’s just me. When I’m out there on the field, just everything I do is just me,” Nabers said. “I can’t really say, ‘I can bring it to the NFL.’ I can only just play at my level of competition.
“That was one of those days I was playing at a high level. I’m just glad I got to showcase that with the team. That was really it.”
It’s not just while working with the first-team offense as the team’s No. 1 receiver that Nabers stands out; he does so in individual drills as well. He grabbed the ball out of the air while reaching one-handed behind his head as the rest of his teammates did special teams drills.
But his speed is what really makes Nabers special.
“He’s quick. He’s definitely quick. And a lot of DBs will have to deal with it,” said Flott, who has worked against Nabers this spring.
If first impressions mean anything, Nabers is doing well.
“I’ll just say how explosive he is at his weight, the way he catches the ball, what he does after the catch, the run after catch, all of that is elite,” fellow wide receiver and fast friend Jalin Hyatt said of what he has noticed immediately.
There is little doubt that Nabers made his presence felt in his first few months with the Giants this spring. He immediately became a fixture on the first-team offense in practices while being featured in multiple spots all over the field.
It’s as if the team has already decided Nabers is its No. 1 receiver with tight end Darren Waller officially retired.
“I think he can be a tremendous weapon for us. He’s had a good spring. He’s looked good and made a lot of plays. You know, it takes time and work, and we’ll put that in,” quarterback Daniel Jones said. “I mean, he can do everything. There is not much that he can’t do, really, from a route-running standpoint. He is dynamic with the ball in his hands and strong, fast, explosive, catches the ball well.”
Still, it takes more than just talent to be successful at the NFL level. Confidence helps, too.
Nabers, much like most top wide receivers, is not lacking in that category.
“I believe [I’m making] a good impression. When I’m out there on the field, the level of competition rises at its highest — because my competition, I bring the dog, I bring the juice when I’m out there,” Nabers said.
“So having me on the field, it’s been helpful to those older guys here. Just trying to bring some enthusiasm out there on the field. The celebrations, I know you’ve seen a lot of the celebrations, so just trying to get all the guys ready to practice.”
The 20-year-old from Louisiana is already being compared to Odell Beckham Jr., who also played at LSU before being drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.
Of course, Nabers has a long way to go. Beckham began his career in New York with three straight 1,300-plus-yard seasons.
Coach Brian Daboll is keeping everything in perspective.
“No, obviously we thought he was a good player where we selected him. He’s got a lot to learn,” Daboll said. “Was a productive player at LSU, has a long way to go here.
“Kind of what we talked about with the tight ends, along with the receivers now, he has to learn multiple positions. He is making strides every day, and we’ll try to get him ready to go for training camp.”