Malik Nabers, of course, and Tyler Nubin make the grade
Two New York Giants rookies made Dane Brugler’s quarter-pole All-Rookie Team. Brugler is a renowned draft analyst who works for The Athletic. To no one’s surprise, Malik Nabers earned the first wide receiver nod on Brugler’s All-Rookie Team. Here is Brugler’s analysis of Nabers through four games:
Even with inconsistent quarterback play, Nabers leads the entire NFL in targets (52) and receptions (35), and he’s second in receiving yards (386) and receiving touchdowns (three).
My favorite part of Nabers’ game at LSU was his ability to create explosive plays — he led the FBS with 34 catches of 20-plus yards in 2023. And through the first month of the NFL season, he is tied for the league lead with seven catches of 20-plus yards.
So far, Nabers has looked like the superstar his college film suggested he would be. His gliding athleticism allows him to separate early or late in the route, and he does an outstanding job adjusting and framing the football. Add in his ability to create after the catch and Nabers has the skill set to be one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals was the runner-up.
The second Giants’ rookie to make the list was safety Tyler Nubin. Here is Brugler’s write-up on the former Minnesota Golden Gopher:
When working downhill and playing the alleys, Nubin has been outstanding. His toughness and reliability as a tackler stand out on tape and on the stat sheet. Through four games, Nubin is tied for the rookie lead in tackles (22) and has been tagged with only one missed tackle.
At Minnesota, Nubin set a school record with 13 career interceptions, but that on-ball production has been missing thus far in the NFL. He has been too conservative in coverage, which must change as he adjusts to the speed of the pro game.
Javon Bullard of the Green Bay Packers was the runner-up.
The Giants did not have anyone who was a runner-up, but they did have a few honorable mentions. Defensive back Dru Phillips and linebacker Darius Muasau were in that category.
Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels was Brugler’s starting signal-caller, and the runner-up was Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears. The Dallas Cowboys‘ interior offensive lineman Cooper Beebe was the runner-up to Zach Frazier of the Steelers as the top interior offensive lineman.
Quinyon Mitchell of the Philadelphia Eagles was selected as the top cornerback with Kamari Lassiter (Texans) as the runner-up. Lassiter was mentioned in ‘Hard Knocks’ as a target for the Giants early in the second round. He was selected 42nd in the draft.
