EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Malik Nabers won't visit the Giants' headquarters until Friday, but he already has a tight bond with Brian Daboll.
The team's first-round draft choice and its head coach got to know each other during the extensive and intensive evaluation period leading up to the NFL Draft. When the Giants were on the clock with the sixth selection in the first round, they finalized a partnership that had made sense to so many by selecting the prolific wide receiver from LSU.
"It was very likely," Nabers said of the potential of landing with the Giants. "I knew Dabs, he conversed with a lot of my coaches, he really liked my game, he liked my dog mentality. So, I'm glad he chose me.
"(We had) great meetings. He has a great personality; he makes people laugh that are in the room. He's going to compete with you for sure, he has high standards for his athletes. So, I am hoping he has high standards for me, and I live up to those."
Daboll is confident his newest receiver will do exactly that.
"I'm excited about Malik," Daboll said. "He's a heck of a player."
View the best photos from the collegiate career of wide receiver Malik Nabers.
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) dances in celebration of his team's 49-42 victory against Florida in an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) celebrates his touchdown reception in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. LSU won 42-30. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) scores a touchdown on a pass reception against Texas A&M defensive back Demani Richardson (26) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. LSU won 42-30. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) carries between Texas A&M defensive back Jacoby Mathews (2), defensive back Deuce Harmon (11) and defensive back Demani Richardson (26) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. LSU won 42-30. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) carries between Texas A&M defensive back Jacoby Mathews (2), defensive back Deuce Harmon (11) and defensive back Demani Richardson (26) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. LSU won 42-30. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) carries against Texas A&M defensive back Deuce Harmon (11) and defensive back Jacoby Mathews (2) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy (2) scores a touchdown against Georgia State safety Jeremiah Johnson (6) as LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) celebrates during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) celebrates after his touchdown with quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia State in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) scores a touchdown against Georgia State cornerback Bryquice Brown, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) celebrates his touchdown reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) crosses the goal line for a touchdown on a pass reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) grabs a reception that he finished with a touchdown against Georgia State cornerback Bryquice Brown (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) scores a touchdown against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers jogs off the field after his touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers catches a pass and scores a touchdown against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) pulls in a touchdown reception in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Army in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. LSU won 62-0. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) celebrates his touchdown reception in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Army in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. LSU won 62-0. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) pulls in a touchdown reception in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Army in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. LSU won 62-0. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) celebrates his touchdown against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) pulls in a touchdown reception in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Army in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. LSU won 62-0. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) pulls in a touchdown reception in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Army in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. LSU won 62-0. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) pulls in a touchdown reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Army in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) carries on a pass reception in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. LSU won 48-18. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) carries on a pass reception as Auburn linebacker Cam Riley (13) pursues in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. LSU won 48-18. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) celebrates his touchdown reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Army in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) carries on a reception as Auburn linebacker Jalen McLeod (35) pursues in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) reacts after a first down reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) carries on a reception as Auburn linebacker Jalen McLeod (35) pursues in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) celebrates his touchdown with running back Logan Diggs (3) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) celebrates his touchdown with teammates in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) reacts after a first down reception in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. LSU won 48-18. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) carries for a touchdown past Auburn safety Donovan Kaufman in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) carries for a touchdown past Auburn safety Donovan Kaufman in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) runs after a catch against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) carries for a touchdown past Auburn safety Donovan Kaufman (5) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy (2) and wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) react after a touchdown by Lacy during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) looks for room past Mississippi cornerback Zamari Walton (6) and linebacker Suntarine Perkins during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) celebrates his first of two touchdown receptions in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. LSU won 34-31. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) celebrates his second touchdown reception with offensive lineman Will Campbell (66) in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. LSU won 34-31. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers celebrates his second touchdown reception with offensive lineman Will Campbell (66) in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. LSU won 34-31. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) pulls in a touchdown reception ahead of Arkansas defensive back Jaheim Singletary (15) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. LSU won 34-31. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) lines up against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) looks back for a pass as he breaks open against Mississippi State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. LSU won 41-14. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) catches a 26-yard touchdown pass reception over the defense of Mississippi State safety Hunter Washington (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) runs past Purdue cornerback Bryce Hampton, left, and safety Sanoussi Kane (21) on his way to a 75-yard touchdown on a pass play during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) gets past Purdue safety Cam Allen after a reception during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA football game Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
LSU wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (11) and Malik Nabers (8) celebrate after a touchdown by Thomas against Grambling State during an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) scores a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Grambling State in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) breaks away from Grambling State for a touchdown during an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. LSU won 65-17. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) makes a reception against UAB safety Keondre Swoopes (0) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) runs after a reception as UAB safety Jaylen Key (1) tries to make the tackle during the first half an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) makes a reception against UAB safety Keondre Swoopes (0) and UAB safety Grayson Cash (12) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. LSU won 65-17. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) runs after a reception during an NCAA college football game against UAB in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. LSU won 65-17. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) is tackled by Arkansas defensive back Quincey McAdoo during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) is tackled on a pass reception in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Tennessee won 40-13.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) runs during an NCAA football game against New Mexico on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) carries in the second half of an NCAA college football game against New Mexico in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. LSU won 38-0. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) carries on a pass reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game against New Mexico in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. LSU won 65-17. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) celebrates after a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. LSU won 65-17. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) carries on a pass reception against New Mexico defensive end Jake Saltonstall (95) and cornerback Donte Martin (8) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. LSU won 65-17. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) runs the ball past Southern cornerback Glen Brown (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) spins out of the tackle attempt by Kansas State defensive end Bronson Massie (90) during the second half of the Texas Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) runs during the first half of an NCAA football game against Florida State on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) pulls in a pass in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Monroe in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) carries during their NCAA college football practice in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) runs during an NCAA football game against Auburn on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) runs after a reception against Florida during an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) pulls in a reception to score in front of Kansas State defensive backs Reggie Stubblefield (1) and TJ Smith (7) during the second half of the Texas Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
LSU has long produced outstanding wide receivers and players like Odell Beckham, Jr., Justin Jefferson, and Ja'Marr Chase. Those three have been among the NFL's most exciting players in the last decade. But none of them were as productive in college as Nabers, who holds the LSU career records with 189 catches and 3,003 yards. He scored 21 touchdowns in his three seasons, including 14 in a record-setting 2023 season.
On Thursday night, the school enhanced its reputation as a producer of great receivers. In addition to Nabers, LSU wideout Brian Thomas, Jr. was selected 23rd by the Jacksonville Jaguars. And their quarterback, Jayden Daniels, was chosen second overall by the Washington Commanders.
Nabers was the second wide receiver chosen in the first round after Ohio State's Marvin Harrison, Jr. went fourth to the Arizona Cardinals. Another wideout, Rome Odunze, was selected ninth by the Chicago Bears.
"We had a lot of guys that we liked that would fit in with the way we had them stacked," general manager Joe Schoen said. "At the time we took him, he was the top receiver on our board."
What separates Nabers from the other receivers in his draft class?
"I'm able to play different positions, create separation, open up a great window for the quarterback to throw me the ball," Nabers said. "Great teammate. Great leader. All in all, a great football player. Dog mentality when I'm out there on the field."
That quarterback will be Daniel Jones, if he continues his recovery from surgery to repair a torn ACL. Schoen reached out to Jones about the Nabers acquisition before it was announced.
"He's fired up," Schoen said. "I texted him Malik's number. That's one of the first things I did. And he's fired up about it."
Last year, Nabers was a unanimous All-America after leading the nation with 120.7 receiving yards a game. He led the SEC with 89 receptions and 1,569 yards and was second with 14 touchdown catches.
"He was obviously ultra productive at LSU," Daboll said. "Made a ton of plays. I would say deep, intermediate, short. Be good to get him in here and get him acclimated to what we do. I know he's excited about it. We're excited to have him."
Nabers is just 20 years old (he turns 21 in late July). But that won't preclude him from taking on a big role and producing as a rookie.
"There's a lot more to grow," he said. "Especially I'm a young NFL person that's coming in. I have a lot to learn, a lot to learn how to be a pro, by coming in there finding those older guys that can guide me along the way."
Nabers already has a relationship with one of his fellow wideouts, Jalin Hyatt, another product of a Southeastern Conference school (Tennessee). Hyatt caught 23 passes as a rookie last season.
"We have built a relationship along the lines, I asked him a few questions about the organization when I was on the visit," Nabers said. "Told me great things. Watched him when he was in college. Tremendous athlete. Amazing speed. Got hands. He was also a Biletnikoff winner, so you know it's going to be a lot of competition going on in that room. So, I'm excited to get to know those guys, hit the field with those guys."
It will be fun to watch the Giants' SEC receivers, including Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton, compete with each other on the practice field.
Subscribe to Giants Text Alerts to stay up to date on breaking news, ticket offers, gameday entertainment, and more!
