Malik Nabers knows a thing or two about what New York Giants rookie Abdul Carter is going through.
So Nabers, offered some advice to Carter ahead of his first game Sunday against the Washington Commanders.
Carter was picked No. 3 out of Penn State in this April’s draft — the Giants’ earliest draft pick since they chose Carl Banks with the third pick of the 1984 draft. He’ll have the pressure of being the Giants’ fourth top-10 pick in the past four drafts.
Nabers, the No. 6 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, is coming off a spectacular rookie season where he set the Giants’ single-season record for catches (109) despite missing two games with a concussion last year.
What Advice Did Malik Nabers Give Abdul Carter?
At first, Nabers didn’t want to give Carter any advice, but he relented when asked what the 2024 top-10 pick would say to the 2025 top-5 selection.
“Dial it down. The game is the game,” Nabers said. “You gonna play 100mph. Just go make the plays when the play is right there.”
Carter was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 and a first-team All-American. He led FBS with 24 tackles for loss while posting 12 sacks and helping the Nittany Lions reach the College Football Playoff semifinals.
But he has good company on the Giants’ defensive line. Carter is expected to play next to 2022 No. 5 overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence — who was graded the best interior D-lineman in the NFL last year by NFL talent evaluators — and two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns.
Though Carter is the junior member of that impressive group, Nabers is excited for Carter to show what he is capable of doing.
“I think he’s going to show everybody why we picked him that high,” Nabers said. “He’s going to show all his athleticism, all his power moves. He’s going to make some tackles; he’s going to run down some people. I’m excited to see it.”
What Did Malik Nabers Say About His Second Season?
Nabers was one of the Giants’ few bright spots in 2024, since he qualified for the Pro Bowl and proved one of the most explosive offensive players in team history.
So what can Nabers do for an encore? For starters, he is feeling more confident than he was entering Year 1.
“I’m less anxious,” Nabers said. “I was kind of worried about the first game, but I’m kind of like dialed down. I did it already, so I’m ready to show the world.
“It’s another year. Just trying to build on last year and keep on going.”
Nabers’ really jumped onto the NFL’s radar against the Commanders in Week 2 last season. He posted 10 catches for 127 yards and his first NFL touchdown in New York’s 21-18 loss to Washington in Landover, Maryland — a game marred by kicker Graham Gano’s early-game injury that cost the Giants at least three extra points.
So when asked about going back to Washington, with former Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson as his quarterback, Nabers is focused on the team starting 1-0 for the first time since 2022.
“It starts now,” Nabers said. “We have to take those guys serious. … Can’t mess around with them, just put them to bed early.”
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