Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers put on an LSU Pro Day performance that the Giants “desperately need.”
On Wednesday, Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll found themselves on familiar ground, reminiscent of the fruitful days when the Giants discovered game-changing talent, a prospect they might rediscover in Malik Nabers.
At LSU’s Pro Day, Nabers put on a dazzling display, showcasing a remarkable 42-inch vertical leap, an unofficial 40-yard dash time of 4.35 seconds, a 10-foot 9-inch broad jump, and an impressive knack for making big plays after the catch. His performance made a compelling argument that he could fill the void on the perimeter, something the Giants have been longing for since parting ways with the dynamic Odell Beckham Jr. five seasons ago.
Every precise pass thrown by quarterback Jayden Daniels and nabbed by Nabers drew heightened attention from Schoen, Daboll, and other decision-makers from teams holding top-six draft picks, all gathered inside LSU’s practice facility.
The Patriots, who will pick three spots ahead of the Giants at No. 3, sent nine talent evaluators, per SI.com.
The Giants’ representatives enjoyed dinner with Nabers on Tuesday night, a fact confirmed by The Post, and reportedly scheduled one of Jayden Daniels’ first six one-on-one team meetings following his throwing showcase.
Nabers expressed to reporters at the Pro Day that the dinner with the Giants went exceptionally well. “Those guys are a blast to be around,” Nabers remarked. “I really connected with them and opened up my personality. It’s easy to talk to them. They understand me as a player on a personal level… I’ve heard Brian, the head coach, really admires my style of play. Being in that atmosphere with them again is just fantastic.”
In the event Nabers somehow slips to the 10th pick, he also met with the Jets on Tuesday, as reported by NFL Network.
When asked about the potential addition of a No. 1 receiver like Nabers, Giants’ general manager Schoen commented this week, “Having a No. 1 receiver would be fantastic. I think every team would welcome that, especially with an offensive-minded head coach.”
Quarterback and receiver are the two positions most likely to be addressed by the Giants in the first round, whether they pick at No. 6 or opt for a trade-up scenario.
During the season, the LSU duo produced astounding statistics, highlighted by Daniels’ remarkable 34 touchdowns and zero interceptions on passes of 15 yards or more, and Nabers’ FBS-leading 34 plays of 20 yards or more, according to Pro Football Focus.
Following Nabers’ impressive 40-yard dash, Heisman Trophy-winning Daniels was the first to greet him with a celebratory chest bump on Wednesday.
Two hours later, with Daniels sporting a sweatshirt bearing the name and number of his cancer-stricken LSU teammate Greg Brooks Jr., the duo showcased their chemistry with sideline bombs, in-cutting seams, and slant-and-go routes during 56 scripted passes.
“The Giants are in dire need of offensive explosion,” remarked one NFL scout to The Post. “Nabers certainly brings that to the perimeter — or even to the slot, where he made most of his impact. Every time he touches the ball, there’s a threat of a big play.”
Comparisons to Lamar Jackson are frequently made with Daniels. “It’s a lofty comparison,” the scout continued. “He may not have Jackson’s athleticism coming out of college, but he’s a more polished passer and a capable scrambler. Jayden possesses the ability to inspire confidence in any situation due to his unique blend of passing and running skills.”
At this stage, it would be surprising if the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Daniels — one of four quarterbacks potentially in the top six picks — were to fall to No. 6, especially considering he could go as high as No. 2 to the NFC East rival Commanders.
Nabers finds himself in competition with fellow receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who did not participate in the NFL combine or Ohio State’s Pro Day, to be the first non-quarterback selected.
Nabers holds the LSU all-time receiving yards record, surpassing notable alumni such as Beckham, Ja’Marr Chase, and Justin Jefferson.
If, as hinted by Schoen, the Giants remain open to trading down in the first round, LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. could become a consideration.
On Wednesday, the performance of the projected mid-first-round pick was somewhat overshadowed by Nabers, despite his impressive production during the season. Nevertheless, he showcased his skills admirably, particularly excelling in catching vertical routes, having already established solid NFL combine numbers, including a speedy 4.33-second 40-yard dash.
The Giants had planned another scouting outing on Thursday, but ESPN reported that Rome Odunze would not participate in Washington’s Pro Day, leaving quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the main attraction. Penix, though considered a likely second-round pick due to medical concerns, still draws considerable interest.
Alongside Harrison and Nabers, Odunze, who impressed in drills and testing at the Combine, completes the trio of receivers expected to be top-10 picks.
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller offered insight into Odunze’s game, stating, “There are a lot of intricacies to Rome’s game. He’s a technician, and the way that he fights for the ball is crazy.”
Instead of attending Odunze’s Pro Day, Daboll and Schoen may opt to travel east on Thursday to North Carolina, where quarterback Drake Maye is scheduled to have his Pro Day workout. Maye, who trains under David Morris, known for his work with Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and his close ties to Eli Manning, presents another intriguing prospect.
“We’re going to try to draft the best player that we can draft at 6 or higher or lower,” Daboll remarked. “There’s a lot of work that needs to be done.”