Malik Nabers amongst Professional Bowl Video games rookies relishing the chance

ORLANDO, Fla. — Malik Nabers gave the New York Giants one thing to have fun throughout a 3-14 season consumed by disappointment.

The crew’s high decide within the 2024 draft packed the stat sheet, turning into probably the most dynamic rookie receiver the franchise has ever seen. Now, 109 catches and 1,204 receiving yards later, Nabers is himself being celebrated after being requested to take part on this week’s Professional Bowl Video games.

It has been a little bit of a surreal expertise for the No. 6 decide as he takes within the occasions of the week.

“I get to see these guys play all 12 months, however now I get to simply to speak with them in individual and to understand how good of individuals they really are, to rub shoulders with loads of these receivers and ask some questions,” Nabers stated as a dodgeball recreation performed out throughout Thursday night time’s expertise occasion. “It is really actually good that I obtained right here at a younger age to get to select the brains of those guys.”

There he goes!

📺: #ProBowlGames on ESPN pic.twitter.com/u72z2lzHz2

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 31, 2025

Nabers is one among 5 rookies collaborating within the week’s occasions, which started with the abilities competitors and continues with Sunday’s remaining expertise occasions and sequence of flag-football video games (3 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN). The NFC leads 14-7 coming into Sunday.

Nabers and Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr., Las Vegas Raiders tight finish Brock Bowers, Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse and New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye will probably be in elite firm this weekend. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was initially chosen for the sport however opted out after his crew’s deep playoff push ended with final weekend’s NFC Championship Recreation.

In varied methods, every Professional Bowl rookie made a definite affect in his first NFL season.

Maybe none made a much bigger affect than Bowers, who shattered a number of rookie data in 2024. Bowers’ 112 receptions and 1,194 receiving yards set rookie tight finish marks. Bowers, Verse and Daniels have been authentic choices for the sport, whereas the remaining rookies have been known as upon as alternates.

“It has been superior,” Bowers stated.

He singled out his interactions with San Francisco 49ers tight finish George Kittle as significantly memorable.

For Nabers, his presence confirms he established himself this season not solely as top-of-the-line first-year gamers at his place however top-of-the-line within the league, interval. He is right here sharing the stage with receivers just like the Cincinnati Bengals‘ Ja’Marr Chase and the Minnesota Vikings‘ Justin Jefferson.

However he has additionally tapped into different gamers’ data, like Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons, who Nabers has lengthy admired. The 2 have shortly developed a relationship throughout the first couple of days in Orlando.

Thomas nonetheless cannot consider he is right here. The No. 23 decide completed with 1,282 yards on 87 catches with 10 landing receptions — most by any rookie. The week’s experiences have prompted the native of tiny Walker, Louisiana to ponder how far he is come.

The NFC is within the lead following Thursday’s motion in Orlando ⭐️

📺: #ProBowlGames continues Sunday 6pm ET on ESPN
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/D7B0k6viOW

— NFL (@NFL) January 31, 2025

“This was all the time a dream,” he stated. “However rising up, and coming from the place I come from, not too many individuals get right here. Really, no one has actually ever been in a position to do that.”

Thomas shortly demonstrated he is one of many extra explosive receivers within the league. He had three of the Jaguars’ 4 longest performs from scrimmage this season, every 62 yards or longer.

“Despite the fact that we did not have the season that we needed, I nonetheless simply continued to push by and was simply decided to do higher each week,” Thomas stated. The Jaguars completed 4-13.

In the meantime, Verse, the nineteenth total decide, offered a lift to a Rams protection that was retooling within the wake of the retirement of three-time Defensive Participant of the Yr Aaron Donald. And Maye gave the post-Tom Brady Patriots some optimism at quarterback together with his encouraging rookie-year efficiency.

Nabers will depart Orlando extra impressed to do larger issues in Yr 2, he stated. In truth, he is already making a daring guidelines for 2025.

“Man, I need to be right here once more and I am making an attempt to go All-Professional subsequent 12 months,” he stated. “I do not need to be an alternate, both. I need to make it. And I need one other 1,000 yards, 10 touchdowns and 100 catches.”

That sounds quite a bit like a Professional Bowl season.