Expectations for Malik Nabers, Giants' Top Rookies in Preseason

The 2023 season showed that while the New York Giants were playoff-caliber the previous year, they didn't have enough talent to be perennial contenders. Hopefully, New York's offseason helped change that.

The Giants' biggest move came via trade, as they acquired Pro Bowl pass-rusher Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers. New York also upgraded its offensive line and grabbed a bit of quarterback insurance, but it lost key players in Xavier McKinney and Saquon Barkley during free agency.

If the roster is going to be substantially stronger than it was a year ago, the Giants are going to need early contributions from their rookie class. Fans will get their first real look at the team's top rookies when their preseason begins on August 8.

Here, you'll find a look at New York's top three draft selections and some realistic expectations for them during exhibition season.

Round 1 (No. 6 Overall)

The Giants used the sixth overall pick on former LSU receiver Malik Nabers with the hope of addressing their longstanding lack of a true No. 1 target. The rookie has done little to discourage them since then.

Nabers' physical talent and upside have never been in question—he was the eighth-ranked prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's final draft board. He's flashed plenty of that in the offseason but has also shown that he's earned the trust of New York's coaches.

ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported that the Giants already had plays installed specifically for Nabers in minicamp. By training camp, head coach Brian Daboll was asking for the rookie's input.

"Nabers said that the 60-yard connection between him and Daniel Jones during Friday's practice was the result of Daboll asking the rookie receiver what play he wanted to call in that spot," Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post wrote on Saturday.

Fans should expect to see Nabers in the starting lineup for the preseason opener. While Nabers may not see extensive exhibition playing time—the Giants already know what they have—he'll likely produce a couple of jaw-dropping plays before being placed in a bubble to await Week 1.

Round 2 (No. 47 Overall)

The Giants used their second-round pick on Tyler Nubin, in part, to help reload the secondary following MxKinney's departure. However, the Minnesota product is likely to play closer to the line of scrimmage than McKinney did due to some athletic limitations.

"Due to some of his shortcomings, he will need to go to a specific scheme where he has the ability to play strong safety and work mostly from the box," Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

This could lead to Dane Belton securing the starting job and Nubin playing more of a rotational/situational role during his rookie campaign. There's a good chance that the rookie's rotational play begins in the preseason—if he's healthy enough to see a high volume of reps.

Nubin has been sidelined by a calf injury, though it doesn't appear to be all that serious.

"It's not long-term or anything like that," Daboll told reporters. "We're just being smart to get through here this first week, ramp up and hopefully next week we can get him back out there."

Expect New York to ease Nubin into the rotation and for him to primarily play with the second or third team in the first two exhibition games before starting the finale.

Round 3 (No. 70 Overall)

New York was eager to improve its secondary after ranking 24th in net yards per pass attempt allowed last season. After taking Nubin in Round 2, it came back and grabbed former Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips in Round 3.

However, Phillips may need some time to develop. He's a willing tackler with good ball skills, but he may need to refine his technique to be a consistent starter.

"Phillips will need to rely on his special teams experience and ability early in his NFL career to stick around," Giddings wrote.

Indeed, Phillips' biggest impact in 2024 may be felt on special teams and as a rotational player. Veterans Darnay Holmes and Tre Herndon can play nickel—likely the future role for the 5'10", 191-pound Phillips—so New York has no reason to rush the rookie onto the field before he's ready.

Deonte Banks and Cor'Dale Flott are widely expected to start on the perimeter.

According to Bradley Locker of the New York Post, Phillips has mostly worked with the second-team defense during training camp with only occasional first-team reps. That split will likely hold into the preseason, where the former Wildcat will get a chance to showcase his playmaking ability against backups.