Move aside, Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley, because there’s a new rookie record holder for the New York Giants.
In the first quarter of a Week 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, wide receiver Malik Nabers hauled in a pass from quarterback Drew Lock that tied the team’s rookie record for receptions (91) in a single season.
Beckham Jr. set the record in 2014 and it was later tied by Barkley in 2018.
On the next offensive series, Nabers set the new mark (92) on a six-yard reception.
Malik Nabers with his 92nd catch of the season, which sets the Giants rookie record for most catches in a season. pic.twitter.com/wxkcztDp6I
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) December 22, 2024
Nabers was well aware of his place in Giants history entering Sunday’s game, admitting earlier in the week he keeps tabs on all of his statistics (and those of his teammates).
“Yeah, I’m keeping track of it. I’m keeping track of it,” he told reporters about the rookie reception record.
Nabers was asked if any potential record in particular stood out to him.
“All of them,” Nabers said. “They just all do. If I can put my name in the record books, I’m going to do it.”
And more records may come on Sunday or over the final two weeks.
Nabers started the day needing just 97 yards from scrimmage to reach the 1,000-yard mark. His fellow rookie, running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., entered Sunday needing 85 yards from scrimmage to achieve the same benchmark.
Should the pair reach or eclipse the 1,000-yard mark, they will become just the third rookie duo in NFL history to accomplish that feat, joining Marques Colston and Reggie Bush (2006), and Abner Haynes and Johnny Robinson (1960).
