Malik Nabers shares advice from Odell Beckham Jr. on New York market

10 years ago, the New York Giants selected a former LSU wideout named Odell Beckham Jr. in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. That pick was a success, and 10 years later, the Giants decided to dip back into the talent pool in Baton Rouge, taking Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Like Beckham before him, Nabers will be tested in playing in a big market like New York. Nabers, speaking with the media during day one of rookie minicamp Friday, said he spoke to Beckham and received some advice on how to make the adjustment to playing in New York.

“Just continue to be who I am,” Nabers said. “Who I am is what got me here today, so he just kept telling me to still work hard [and] stay with that chip on your shoulder.”

Nabers, who will turn 21 before the 2024 NFL season begins, spent three seasons at LSU. He hauled in 189 receptions for 3,003 yards and 21 touchdowns. Nabers became LSU’s all-time receiving leader in 2023 after reeling in 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 scores. He earned unanimous All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors for his efforts.

Malik Nabers buys mom new home before Mother’s Day

Nabers, who signed a four-year, $29.207 million deal which includes a signing bonus of $18.062 million, wasted no time putting his newfound riches to use. He purchased a new home for his mom last week ahead of Mother’s Day.

“That was the most important thing in my life, having her have her own house and feel comfortable and not having to worry about bills to pay,” Nabers said. “And know that her little boy did it for her.”

Nabers initially made a $10,000 bet with his former LSU teammate and Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels on who would win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. That bet has since been canceled after the two got smartened up on the NFL’s gambling policy.

“I’m educated now that I got here about sports betting and gambling,” Nabers said. “We’re calling the bet off. There is no bet now. It was just another brother pushing another brother to try to get to success. That is all it was.”