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Malik Nabers Sets Giants Receiving Record vs. Eagles, Gives Fans Hope for Future

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 5, 2025

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 29: Malik Nabers #1 of the New York Giants scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on December 29, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)
Ed Mulholland/Getty Images

This has been a season to forget for the 3-13 New York Giants.

But there has at least been one major bright spot.

To say Malik Nabers has lived up to expectations as the No. 6 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft would actually be an understatement. While the team surely had high hopes for the LSU product, it likely didn't think he'd be setting franchise records right out of the gates.

Yet that is exactly what he did Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles when he hauled in his 108th reception of the season. He broke Steve Smith's franchise record of 107 receptions from the 2009 campaign.

Nabers drew plenty of reaction from social media for the record:

New York Giants @Giants

Malik sets a new Giants record πŸ”₯ <a href="https://t.co/lw1YOnonc9">pic.twitter.com/lw1YOnonc9</a>

B/R Gridiron @brgridiron

Malik Nabers sets a Giants franchise record with 108 receptions πŸ”₯ <a href="https://t.co/8GhJ594ZaD">pic.twitter.com/8GhJ594ZaD</a>

The Entertainah @TheEntertainah

Malik Nabers just set the record for most catches by a New York Giant in his rookie year.<br><br>He did this with Daniel Jones Tommy Devito and Drew Lock throwing him the football. Get this guy a QB and he's going to be SPECIAL.

Connor Hughes @Connor_J_Hughes

A bright spot in this terrible <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Giants?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Giants</a> season: Malik Nabers, New York's rookie, just set the franchise record for catches in a season. He has 108.

Dylan Mehl @DylanMehl

Malik Nabers just broke the Giants All-Time single season receptions record in his rookie season with 108<br><br>Nabers also has well over 1100 yards this season and has had Daniel Jones, Drew Lock and Tim Boyle at QB this year<br><br>Nabers is an absolute STAR and was a Pro Bowl Snub <a href="https://t.co/RdUy4zyoMU">pic.twitter.com/RdUy4zyoMU</a>

LPG - NYG @LicensePlateGuy

Malik Nabers has just broken the Giants record for receptions passing Steve Smith. CONGRATULATIONS #1<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Giants100?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Giants100</a>

Big Game Bengal @BengalYouTube

Malik Nabers breaking the record for single season catches in giants franchise history as a rookie while missing multiple games is hilarious

BetRivers Sportsbook @BetRivers

Malik Nabers setting a new receptions record with the NYG <a href="https://t.co/kW9HLUdzci">pic.twitter.com/kW9HLUdzci</a>

Junior @CantGuardLeek_1

Record Nabers <a href="https://t.co/UjCHNDmwdq">pic.twitter.com/UjCHNDmwdq</a>

Matt Heiniger @HeinigeronSport

108 catches by Nabers with THIS <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Giants?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Giants</a> team is an incredible accomplishment

There weren't many storylines in this largely meaningless game outside of Nabers' record pursuit, although there could have been if the teams took different approaches.

After all, Saquon Barkley is only 100 yards behind Eric Dickerson's all-time record of 2,105 rushing yards in a single season. However, the Eagles chose to rest their star running back instead of having him pursue the record since they are locked into the NFC's No. 2 seed.

As for the Giants, they would have finished with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft had they lost to the Indianapolis Colts and Eagles to finish the season. Instead, they defeated the Colts and had no chance at that top pick coming into Sunday's slate:

Tankathon.com @tankathon

1st overall clinching needs:<br> 🏈 Patriots: loss<br> 🏈 Titans: loss and Patriots win<br> 🏈 Browns: Patriots win and Titans win<a href="https://t.co/AJoUOqeWzT">https://t.co/AJoUOqeWzT</a> <a href="https://t.co/qTMrxCArmH">pic.twitter.com/qTMrxCArmH</a>

Still, New York figures to have a fairly favorable draft pick as it looks to build a contending roster in the NFC East.

And it at least knows it has one franchise cornerstone at wide receiver after Nabers' record-setting rookie season.