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Cover 3: First impressions of the Malik Nabers pick

Apr 27, 2024 at 05:00 PM

by John Schmeelk, Dan Salomone & Matt Citak

The Giants.com crew breaks down the selection of wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick:

John Schmeelk: After months of anticipation, the Giants went with Malik Nabers. He was perhaps the player most connected to the Giants in mock drafts for good reason. Brian Daboll favors receivers who are able to separate from defensive backs. As someone said on NFL Network during the broadcast, Nabers doesn't just separate from defenders, he runs away from them. His array of stutter-go and double moves on tape end up with him being wide open down the field more than any other player in the draft class.

But Nabers is not just a downfield receiver, which is what will make him such a difficult matchup for opposing NFL defenses. In addition to his volume of slot fades and other downfield routes, Nabers was a weapon on slants, crossers, hitches, and outs toward the sideline. His speed shows on his deep routes, but it is elite acceleration, change of direction ability, and start-stop quickness that make him truly special.

That unique combination of skills is why Nabers can be the ultimate weapon that Daboll can move around the field. In his final season at LSU, according to Pro Football Focus, Nabers lined up inside 358 times and outside 361 times. He also lined up in-line six times and five times as a halfback in the backfield. He can be used on gimmick plays, too. Whenever the Giants line up, teams will have to identify Nabers and adjust their coverage accordingly.

Even as a rookie, opposing defensive coordinators will have him circled in red in their plans every week. His presence will make every other skill player on the Giants' offense more successful because of the attention he will garner.

Nabers can take any pass in any area of the field and turn it into a big play for a touchdown. He has a strong lower body to run through tackles and will be one of the most elusive players in the NFL the moment he steps on the football field in the fall. The Giants have been searching for explosive plays for years, and he is a big play machine.

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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Dan Salomone: The draft is about finding the right fit, and Malik Nabers just seems like a Brian Daboll guy. At their core, the wide receiver and head coach are competitors with fire and grit. It's not a surprise they took a liking to each other throughout the pre-draft process. Nabers hinted at it during the NFL Scouting Combine in Detroit.

"I feel the head coach really likes me a lot," he said at the time. "Their head coach, they love dogs. They are able to find those receivers that they really want. They've got a great plan going on to this season that I heard."

The feeling was mutual.

"I enjoyed those meetings," Daboll said Thursday night, just minutes after the Giants selected Nabers sixth overall. "I love his personality. He's a very, very competitive young man."

Nabers revealed that Daboll, a former two-year starter at safety for the University of Rochester (he intercepted three passes in a game in his junior season), even challenged the wideout during one of their meetings.

"He was talking about trying to guard me," Nabers said. "He thought he could guard me."

While it might be best to leave that to Deonte Banks, it spoke to Daboll's relationship with players.

"He has a great personality," Nabers said. "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."

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