General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll
JOE SCHOEN: We're excited to get Malik. He's a guy who's been on our radar for quite some time, explosive playmaker, can play multiple spots. Can separate and (inaudible) and difficult (inaudible), so before getting here tomorrow and then getting into the building a couple of weeks from now. Getting him in with the rest of the players in our culture and developing him and competing for his play time. With that we'll open up for questions.
Q: What made you -- obviously you had the choice, Malik over Odunze?
JOE SCHOEN: We had a lot of meetings throughout the season and at the end of the day we just thought Malik's toughness, separation, speed -- not that Rome doesn't have all those things; Rome is a very good player, too -- just when it came down to it, what we were looking for, Malik checked a lot of those boxes -- his person, his toughness, competes, his production, the versatility.
Q: Joe, there were quarterbacks on the board. First of all, how aggressive were you trying to trade up to get a quarterback?
JOE SCHOEN: I think I said last week we were going to have conversations in front of us. We actually had conversations behind us. There was an opportunity for us to move out of the pick. So we had conversations. We had different plans in place. And we're excited to have Malik Nabers here, so we're real happy with the way it worked out.
Q: There was a lot reporting that you were talking with the Patriots, specifically for the third pick. How serious did those talks get? Was there just a walk-away point where their ask was too high?
JOE SCHOEN: We had a lot of conversations with a lot of teams. I'm not going to get into specifics. We had a really good player at six that was a position that I think was a need that we needed to upgrade. I'm fired up about the kid.
Q: Have you gotten any texts from Daniel Jones about the pick?
JOE SCHOEN: He's fired up. I texted him Malik's number. That's one of the first things I did. And he's fired up about it. He knew before it was announced on ESPN and NFL Network.
Q: Brian, what does it mean for you to have that sort of, for lack of a better term, a number one type receiver?
BRIAN DABOLL: Look, I'm excited about Malik. He's a heck of a player. He's a fun guy to evaluate. Like Joe talked about, he's got quickness, explosive, good run after the catch. He's got a great mindset in terms of the competitive style he plays with. Played well in big games.
Get him in the program, get him with the receivers and into the offense, and really looking forward to working with him.
Q: Joe, do you view the quarterback position as a high priority, your next pick is 47, or do you remain comfortable coming out of this draft without one?
JOE SCHOEN: I'm comfortable with where we're at.
Q: Do you believe you can find like a franchise quarterback at that point in the draft?
JOE SCHOEN: I'm excited about Malik. Whatever, I don't know what's going on out there right now, but I know a couple of quarterbacks just went. We'll look at all positions across the board. I said last week that we have multiple needs across the board and the team, and we'll continue to try to fill those throughout the draft.
Again, there could still be movement. We could get more picks. We could trade up. We've done that in the past. Again, we just got an electric wide receiver that's 20 years old, will be 21 end of July. My guys said he is the fourth youngest player we had on our entire board among the 450 players we have in certain ranges, but a young player that is electric and we're really fired up about acquiring him.
Q: Is there a point where he kind of stood out and popped to you throughout the process? Maybe it wasn't even this year.
JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, LSU, the amount of players they had, and our staff was able to see him play live several times. I've seen him two years in a row. I happened to be at the first game of the year versus Florida State, two years in a row. He's been on our radar.
He's a really good player. And we were at the pro day, we had him in on a 30 visit and went to dinner with him a couple different times. Getting around the kid, he's a great kid. He's super competitive. He's driven. And I'm excited about having him.
Q: How far did you guys -- what does this do for Daniel? He's never really had a top tier receiver?
BRIAN DABOLL: We've got to get him in. He was obviously ultra productive at LSU. 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.
Q: Was he the top receiver on your board?
JOE SCHOEN: He was in the mix with multiple guys. We had a lot of guys that we liked that would fit in with the way we had them stacked. At the time we took him, he was the top receiver on our board.
Q: There was obviously an arrest at some point with him with a gun. The charges eventually dropped. But I'm assuming that wasn't a problem with you. And how did you guys go about looking into that?
JOE SCHOEN: We've got an extensive process in terms of background on these guys. And from watching it, we bring up the film, watched what happened. (Head of security) Jerry Meade does a phenomenal job for us. We have other resources that we reach out to and use, whether it's boots on the ground on the campus, in the cities, wherever it may be. We're very comfortable with the players we turn the card in on.
Q: Brian, at the combine, Malik talked about the meeting and just how much fun it was. You guys were joking around and doing this. Take me in the room there. Was it fun? Was he --
BRIAN DABOLL: I enjoyed those meetings. I love his personality. He's a very, very competitive young man. So it was good to sit down and kind of introduce ourselves and get him to introduce himself to us. He came here -- he's a competitive guy. And I'm looking forward to working with him.
Q: How did you weigh McCarthy there versus Malik?
JOE SCHOEN: Malik was our guy. He was the guy we targeted. And we took him. There were other players on the board and we took him.
Q: How many times did you see him play in person last year?
JOE SCHOEN: Last year one time, saw LSU play.
Q: Joe, can you speak about Malik's toughness? I know he had the shoulder injury early in the season last year, but I don't believe he missed any games. Can you just talk about that?
JOE SCHOEN: That's legit, talking to the trainers and the medical staff, this guy didn't miss. Whatever it is, he's going to fight through it. He's tough, doesn't miss games, doesn't miss practice. If he can play, he's going to play. That's the way this kid is wired.
You'll see it, when you guys get around and see the way he practices and the way he plays on game day and see his highlights and you see some of the stuff he can do, whether it's with the ball in his hand, without the ball in his hand. When guys are wired like that, at his age, that's ingrained in him by then. That's who he is. Looking forward to bringing some of that toughness and explosiveness to the roster.
Q: How did you see him develop from when you first saw him?
JOE SCHOEN: He's been productive. He's had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. He scored more touchdowns this year than he did the year before. But I think Jayden (Daniels) really elevated his game this year but he had scored in the past. But you saw a lot of the traits last year, he's a young kid.
When you evaluated him last year, you were evaluating a 19-year-old. This year, a 20-year-old kid. You see what some of these receivers are getting right now, APY. And you get a guy at his age where we got him in the draft and you're going to have cost control for five years. We're fired up about that.
Q: What stood out when you saw Malik in person?
JOE SCHOEN: I think at that position, the toughness. Some of the competitiveness, some of the best ones I've been around, they have that. It's going to be 20-some receivers taken between today and tomorrow and Saturday. What separates all the guys that are six-foot that are 200 pounds and run a 4.45, there's a bunch of them out there. To me it always goes back to grit, toughness, tenacity. You can't coach that. You can't teach that. I think this kid best illustrates it.
Q: This could be a very different night for Daniel. What did he say when you called him?
JOE SCHOEN: I shot him a text.
Q: When did you realize this was going to be the likely outcome, like at what pick? And did you know at that point or did you think that the Chargers, I know you kind of heard it a little bit, that they were going to take an offensive tackle there?
JOE SCHOEN: But you look at their roster, too, Mike Williams is gone and Keenan Allen is gone.
Q: I'm asking you, how confident were you that they were?
JOE SCHOEN: Again, that was part of the contingency plan. You have six names, and if all six go, you go to bed at night, whoever six was, and you're happy with it. When there's other contingency plans, when teams start calling, you can move back or you move up. So we had multiple plans against the whirlwind and Dabs rode it with me, we could do this, you're overpreparing for everything in all different situations. And we didn't know what the Chargers were going to do until we heard they took an offensive tackle. We were fired up.
Q: Other than the fact they're both from LSU, does this guy remind you at all of a young Odell?
BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I'm not going to compare him to anybody. I think he's a fantastic player. He's got a lot of good attributes. Starting with his personality and demeanor, his competitive stamina. He's got some dog to him. Excited to work with him, he's his own person. He's got a lot to learn coming in. I started out my career working with the receivers and there's a lot to learn, but I know he will, and he's ready to jump on the opportunity.
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)
Wide Receiver Malik Nabers
Q: Malik, congratulations. What was your reaction when you got picked by the Giants?
NABERS: Mix of emotions, I had my family there. It was a great opportunity for me to come to New York.
Q: How likely did you consider the Giants as a potential landing spot for you?
NABERS: It was very likely, 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.
Q: What kind of player are the Giants getting?
NABERS: A great teammate, a great leader, a great person on the field and off the field, and that's it.
Q: Have you heard from Daniel Jones yet?
NABERS: Not yet, but I'm sure I'll be hearing from him soon.
Q: What are your thoughts on having him throw the ball to you?
NABERS: I'm ready to get in, work with him, learn what kind of quarterback he is and catch footballs from him.
Q: Malik, Odell Beckham Jr. came from LSU in the first round, had a great career at the Giants. Do you have any relationship with him and what does it mean for you to follow in his footsteps.
NABERS: I don't have a relationship with him, but I'm just trying to be the best football player I can possibly be for the Giants organization. I'm not coming in trying to replace Odell, I'm just trying lead into my own legacy.
Q: What were your meetings with the Giants like? What was it like getting to know Brian Daboll?
NABERS: It was 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.
Q: You said compete with you. Did you guys get into something during your meetings, or what were you guys competing about?
NABERS: He was talking about trying to guard me. He thought he could guard me.
Q: In basketball or trying to guard you on the football field?
NABERS: Football field.
Q: So you think your separation skills will really be put to the test against Brian Daboll in press coverage against you?
NABERS: Say that again.
Q: Never mind. It's okay. Did you get on the field with Brian Daboll at all and go at it with you or just talk?
NABERS: No, it was just all talk.
Q: What do you think of playing, coming to the New York area?
NABERS: I know it's a great city. I'm going to bring my family with me, bring God with me, bring the dog mentality that I have there.
Q: What do you think sets you apart from the other receivers in this class?
NABERS: I'm able to play different positions, create separation, open up a great window for the quarterback to throw me the ball. Great teammate. Great leader. All in all a great football player. Dog mentality when I'm out there on the field.
Q: What are you most excited about coming to New York?
NABERS: I'm excited to see the city, excited to be with my teammates and learn the offense, learn my quarterback, and just be in New York. I never been to New York, only been there once. Living there, I'm going to need some help.
Q: Being an SEC guy, do you know Jalin Hyatt at all?
NABERS: I sure do.
Q: What can you tell us about your relationship with him?
NABERS: We have built a relationship along the lines, I asked him a few questions about the organization when I was on the visit. 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.
Q: When you were up here with your visit, did you cross paths with the other two receivers, with Harrison and Odunze?
NABERS: Yes, we were all at the meeting together.
Q: What was that like for you? And did you get a, kind of different sense here when you are kind of with other guys you know they're kind of measuring you up against?
NABERS: It was a great meeting with those guys. We got to know each other more closely. So that was it.
Q: You talk about the competitor you are. Were you a competitor that day?
NABERS: Yeah, I had to be. They were trying to see what guy they wanted to pick. There was competition in that room.
Q: What do you think this offense could be? The explosiveness you have now with the guys like you, Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton and Wan'Dale Robinson?
NABERS: I'm not sure. We're going to learn, they're going to learn me, they're going to learn how I play. I'm going to learn my teammates, learn the my offense and we'll see where it leads.
Q: I know you're only 20 years old, but how much more do you think there is to grow in your game?
NABERS: There's a lot more to grow. 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, but coming in there finding those older guys that can guide me along the way.
Q: How eager are you to compete against Jayden Daniels, same division?
NABERS: Same division, me and Jayden? The competition with me and him will always be the same. We had a lot of competition going on in college when we were teammates. So the competition level is high between us, for sure.
Subscribe to Giants Text Alerts to stay up to date on breaking news, ticket offers, gameday entertainment, and more!
