Here’s how stacks up so far with these other star LSU receivers
The second receiver taken in April’s NFL Draft, New York Giants star Malik Nabers has separated completely from his rookie peers with a transcendent start to the 2024 season.
Instead, Nabers’ statistical output compares to the NFL’s very best receivers in their rookie seasons, serving as a much-needed spark plug for a Giants squad saddled with longstanding offensive woes.
Heading into New York’s Week 5 matchup with Seattle, Nabers has hauled in 35 catches for 386 yards and three touchdowns. For comparison, three-time Pro Bowler Justin Jefferson caught just 16 balls for 348 yards to begin his rookie season, while Ja’Marr Chase turned 17 catches into 297 yards and four touchdowns through his first three games.
Nabers continues a strong legacy of former LSU stars excelling at wide receiver in the NFL, with Jefferson and Chase both playing on the Tigers’ 2019 national championship squad before turning pro. Another prominent product of Death Valley and a Giants franchise icon was quick to praise Nabers for his strong start as well, with Odell Beckham Jr. writing on X “I know I ain’t saying nothin we don’t all know but uhhh Malik Nabers is…”
The former Tiger was comparatively quiet during his NFL debut, finishing with five catches for 66 yards, but was still a welcomed bright spot in an anonymous Giants offensive effort that ended in a humbling 27-6 defeat against Minnesota. Nabers was much more involved during the Giants’ Week 2 outing against NFC East divisional rivals Washington, hauling in 10 receptions for 127 yards, including his first career NFL touchdown.
He would find the end zone two more times during New York’s subsequent road trip to Cleveland, crucial scores as the Giants eked out a 21-15 win over the Browns to end their losing skid. And most recently on Thursday night, Nabers snagged a career-high 12 receptions, once again surpassing 100 yards as the Giants fell just short at home against Dallas.
Nabers has captured an unequaled role in the Giants’ offense through four games, now responsible for XX percent of all receiving targets for the G-Men. Still, he’s taken this ever-growing responsibility in stride, continuing to relish the novelty of life as a rookie in the NFL.