Malik Nabers shows elite mindset after passing Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley for a Giants record

New York Giants WR Malik Nabers has 969 receiving yards with 97 receptions from 154 targets and four receiving touchdowns in his rookie season.

Malik Nabers shows elite mindset after passing Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley for a Giants record

Odell Beckham Jr. (R), Saquon Barkley (L), Malik Nabers (centre) (Images via AP)

Amid a loss that secured their first spot in the upcoming draft, rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers carved his silver lining. In the game, Nabers overtook Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley to set a new franchise record for the New York Giants.

Nabers broke the franchise record for the most receptions by a rookie. The record of 91 receptions, initially set in 2014 by Odell Beckham Jr., was matched by Barkley in 2018.

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Malik Nabers entered the Week 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons with 90 receptions, one shy of matching the record. He secured a 6-yard reception on the opening offensive play and followed it up with another 6-yard catch during the second series to set the record. Including Nabers and Brock Bowers, the Las Vegas Raiders’ rookie tight end, only 11 rookies in NFL history have achieved 90 or more receptions.

Malik Nabers, however, is not satisfied with just entering the record books. Nabers acknowledged the personal achievement but admitted that he feels not so good considering that the New York Giants lost the game.

Kudos to me but I didn’t win.

Mailk Nabers said post-game

Nabers’ mentality highlights his wanting to do well for his team. Earlier, he has also shown promise in dealing with the media in the aftermath of his dropped passes in the first half of the season. However, many were pretty anti-Nabers after his strong and cold message to Brian Daboll after a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The season marked yet another dismal experience for the Big Blue. The Giants are 2-13 after 16 weeks with two games left in the season—a cross-conference game against the Indianapolis Colts and a divisional game versus the Philadelphia Eagles to close the season.

The off-season saw the exit of Barkley who has made his name in Philly and Daniel Jones seeing himself off midseason. Amid the darkness, Nabers is the bright light for the ailing franchise.

Malik Nabers closing in on Puka Nacua’s rookie receiving yards and receptions

Heading into Week 16, Bowers and Nabers were on pace to join an elite group of rookies with 100 receptions, which includes Arizona’s Anquan Boldin (101 in 2003), Miami’s Jaylen Waddle (104 in 2021), and the Rams’ Puka Nacua, who set the rookie record with 105 in 2023.

Malik Nabers
Malik Nabers (Image via the New York Post)

Earlier, during his media session on Wednesday, Nabers was reminded that he is only one reception away from matching the Giants’ rookie franchise record of 91, shared by Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley, and just 15 receptions short of Puka Nacua’s NFL rookie record of 105.

Yeah, I’m keeping track of it. I’m keeping track of it. All of them. They just all do. If I can put my name in the record books, I’m going to do it.

Malik Nabers said

Nabers has 969 receiving yards, projected to reach 1,098 yards. In two games, Nabers could attempt to break Nacua’s 1,468 yards but that would be a far reach, considering Nabers needs to average more than 200 yards in both games to reach that level.

Odell Beckham Jr. is the only Giants’ rookie to reach 1,000 yards in the rookie season. Nabers has a high probability of becoming the second with 32 yards needed in two games.

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