Since Odell Beckham Jr was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2019, the New York Giants have struggled to replace him. However, with their sixth overall draft pick this season, Malik Nabers, they might have found their missing key. As for Nabers, this might not be the first time he has tried to reach Odell Beckham’s legacy.

While sharing a childhood story with Kay Adams on her show Up & Adams, Nabers expressed, ” I was like 11 years old. I sent him a text message I was like my hands too big to fit gloves cause they all know they put so many gloves at the academy, but I couldn’t fit them cause my hands were too big so I reached out to him cause I heard he had big hands.” 

However, Nabers never truly got his reply on Instagram DM, but he did receive one that got Nabers describing it as ‘surreal.’ Catching up with Odell on draft night, 10 years later, the three-time Pro bowler replied, “Looks like you don’t need those gloves.” But can the new Giants WR fill the gap that was left behind by Odell Beckham Jr a few years back?

Will Malik Nabers make an instant impact on the New York Giants?

Nabers is coming back off a sensational season with the LSU Tigers, where he recorded more than 1000 receiving yards for the second consecutive season. Finishing with 1,569 receiving years and 89 receptions, Nabers ranked No.2 in receiving TDs at the end of the 2023 season. But that’s not all, as the rookie WR also racked up 10+ yard plays, 20+ yard plays, and 30+ yard plays, the most by any player. Moreover, for a 21-year-old, these are exceptional numbers that got the Giants excited by adding him to the roster.

Dan Pizzuta, a writer for the 33rd team, was quick to draw comparisons between the WR and his icon Odell Beckham Jr. Sharing his views, Pizzuta conveyed, “Nabers gives the Giants the type of receiver who, like peak Odell Beckham, can create a big play from anywhere on the field. He can take a slant to the house or use his speed to win deep down the field.” However, Pizzuta also pointed out the importance of Brian Daboll is getting the most out of Nabers.

Citing the 2022 Giants playoff run, “When Brian Daboll got the most out of Daniel Jones During the 2022 run to the playoffs, it was an offense designed around the QB out of the pocket and creating years after the catch on the shortest throws in the league.” Well, Pizzuta might not be wrong, as Nabers had an average of 7.0 yards after the catch, while his 0.35 broken tackles per reception was the second-best in his class. But it remains to be seen whether the rookie WR can live up to his expectations or if it will be a long stretch for him.