A pair of New York Giants rookies, wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., have both eclipsed the 1,000-yards-from-scrimmage plateau for the season. While the Giants’ fans usually haven’t had much to look forward to lately, these two budding stars provide a modicum of hope.
Giants Rookie Tandem Both Surpass 1,000 Yards From Scrimmage
Providing hope, and history, the Giants’ rookies are only the second pair to both hit the milestone since 1970.
The Giants have had a terrible season. They are 2-13 and have lost 10 straight heading into Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Nabers and Tracy have been the lone bright spots on offense this season.
#Giants rookie WR Malik Nabers and RB Tyrone Tracy are just the second pair of rookie teammates since 1970 to each surpass 1,000 yards. pic.twitter.com/DoOHrHTyB3
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 29, 2024
Nabers was taken with the sixth pick of the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at LSU with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is having an awesome rookie season of his own with the Washington Commanders.
Nabers came into the game with 97 receptions for 969 yards. He also went over the 100-reception mark as he had four receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown in the first half against Indianapolis.
What makes these receiving figures so outstanding, aside from the compelling stature of the numbers, is Nabers did this without a true starting quarterback.
He has had four quarterbacks this season throwing him the ball, and none of them are particularly that good.
Daniel Jones started the season at quarterback, but after a loss to the Carolina Panthers in October, in Munich, Germany, he was benched and subsequently waived.
How do you cover this guy when the throw is back shoulder? He has it all. Strength at the catch point, body control, concentration. Malik Nabers is going to be a star for a long time. pic.twitter.com/Gznu2rXHvy
— Anthony Rivardo (@Anthony_Rivardo) December 29, 2024
Tommy DeVito took over for a game and was then injured. The Giants have since rotated DeVito, Drew Lock, and Tim Boyle, depending on who is healthy at a given time.
Tracy, a fifth-round pick from Purdue, was averaging 4.6 yards per carry coming into Sunday’s game. He had 768 yards rushing and 276 yards receiving.
As one fan put it, he thinks Nabers needs some rest with one week left to play in the season.
Tracy ran for 47 yards and caught a pass for 13 yards in the first half, pushing him over the threshold. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Colts.
The Giants should have one of the top selections in the NFL Draft in 2025 and are expected by many to take a signal-caller, either Cam Ward of the University of Miami or Shedeur Sanders of the University of Colorado. Either one projects to be a good distributor and could make Nabers even better. They would also give Tracy better passes to work with out of the backfield.
Both Miami and Colorado have featured their running backs catching the ball out of the backfield in open space, and the two quarterbacks are extremely proficient at it.