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Timing your draft picks in fantasy football can make or break your season, especially when it comes to selecting emerging talents like Malik Nabers.
The former LSU wide receiver has all the tools to be a game-changer in 2024, and savvy fantasy managers are already eyeing him as a potential steal. But when is the right moment to pull the trigger on drafting Nabers?
In this article, I’ll explore his 2024 fantasy football outlook, dissecting his strengths, potential risks, and the strategic considerations you must keep in mind to maximize his value on your roster.
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Malik Nabers 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook
Nabers's world-class talent is undeniable, and there is no ceiling as to how good he might be in 2024 and beyond. Selected sixth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, Nabers is coming off an incredible season with LSU, during which he accumulated 89 receptions for 1,570 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.
Nabers is the clear WR1 for the Giants going into this season. The Giants have a very weak receiving corps and many, many targets up for grabs. Of the 518 times the Giants quarterbacks threw the ball last season, no receiver on the team eclipsed more than 79 targets (15.3%).
This shows an opening for a true elite-volume receiver, of which Nabers is one. Expect him to command anywhere between 24-30% of the Giants’ targets in 2024.
Malik Nabers preseason breakdown:
31.6% - Target share when on the field
43.7% - Air yardage share when on the field13.3 - Average depth of target
(Data per @TruMediaSports)
Nabers has been used as the pre-snap motion man five times and targeted on two of those five routes.… pic.twitter.com/mA8nr57Q7Q
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 20, 2024
The largest worry for Nabers and his potential fantasy owners is the Giants’ quarterback situation. The team will return Daniel Jones for what feels like the 100th season and has signed Drew Lock to back him up. Neither quarterback is particularly good, and many believe this will be Nabers’ downfall.
I, for one, do not buy into that. Many receivers over the years have been good enough to make average quarterbacks look elite. According to many reports, the quarterback play hasn’t stopped Nabers from impressing up until this point, either.
When Should I Draft Malik Nabers in Fantasy Football?
Nabers is projected to finish as the WR22 and has an average ADP of around 46 in PPR formats. That just seems a tad low to me.
The big question with Nabers, as is with many rookies, is that their potential is virtually unknown until they step onto the field. The NFL has shown that top picks can be busts and low picks can be stars. Nabers, however, just feels like a star. The show he has put on over the years in college and his assumed target share in 2024 make him too hard to pass up.
Barring any injuries or setbacks, Nabers could very well finish anywhere between the WR14-18 range. If you have the opportunity to snag him at or around his ADP (maybe even a bit before), you are in store for a wild (but fun) ride.
Malik Nabers had a really fun half of football. Here were his three best catches. pic.twitter.com/j4MfG0BLLC
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) August 17, 2024
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