FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

Production Lags, Targets Return for Malik Nabers

By Matt Schauf | Updated on Mon, Oct 21 2024 3:58 PM UTC

Giants WR Malik Nabers returned from a two-game concussion for Sunday's loss to the Eagles. He managed just 4 receptions and 41 yards and even trailed WR Wan'Dale Robinson by 1 target. But Nabers' 8 still accounted for 27.6% of the Giants' total pass attempts. That included 28.6% of QB Daniel Jones' 21 attempts; 25% of replacement QB Drew Lock's eight throws.

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

Unfortunately, this is the kind of downside risk Nabers' QB presents in a given week.

Fortunately, Nabers counters that with position-leading target share.

That has him fifth among WRs in PPR points per game, so it's not time to downgrading him for QB play now.

Week 8 holds a tough matchup with the Steelers. But Nabers' positional versatility should keep him from facing lead CB Joey Porter Jr. on every route.

The Giants have increased Nabers' slot usage vs. how he opened the season ...

Week 1: 11.5%
Week 2: 16.7%
Week 3: 35.0%
Week 4: 29.3%
Week 7: 36.6%

He also gets the third-best WR schedule the rest of the way, according to our adjusted fantasy points allowed. That climbs to second-best after the Pittsburgh game.

If Nabers disappoints for a second straight week against the Steelers, it might be worth sending a trade offer to the Nabers manager in your league.

Darius Slayton Probably Doesn't Like Nabers

The veteran racked up 22 targets in the two games Nabers missed. He has totaled just 18 targets over the five games shared with Nabers.

Slayton has reached 5 targets just once in a Nabers game, and has yet to exceed 3 receptions in such a week.

Matt Schauf, Editor

Matt has earned two Fantasy Pros accuracy awards for IDP rankings and won thousands of dollars as a player across best ball, dynasty, and high-stakes fantasy formats. He has been creating fantasy football content for more than 20 years, with work featured by Sporting News, Rotoworld, Athlon, Sirius XM, and others. He's been with Draft Sharks since 2011.