Tag: malik nabers

Is LSU wide receiver Chris Hilton returning in 2025?

Is LSU wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. expected to return in 2025?

This is roster movement season. Hundreds of players around the sport announce their intentions to enter the transfer portal, enter the NFL Draft, or return to school for another year.

We’ve heard decisions from several key LSU players. LT Will Campbell, RT Emery Jones, and TE Mason Taylor all declared for the draft. CJ Daniels entered the transfer portal. Starting QB Garrett Nussmeier decided to return to school for a fifth year.

One Tiger we’ve yet to hear from is wide receiver Chris Hilton.

Hilton just completed his redshirt junior year with the Tigers and has another season of eligibility remaining.

LSU had high hopes for Hilton in 2025. With [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr[/autotag]. off to the NFL, Hilton was supposed to replace that big play potential. Unfortunately, Hilton dealt with an injury for most of 2024 and struggled to settle back into the lineup.

Finally, in LSU’s regular-season finale win over Oklahoma, something clicked. 

Nussmeier connected with Hilton for two deep touchdown shots. The big play threat LSU was seeking all year was there.

Hilton is yet to have a true full-time role with LSU, but there’s one waiting if he returns. LSU is losing [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] and [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] and had to turn to the transfer portal to restock the receiver room.

Players like [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and [autotag]Barion Brown[/autotag] will come up big for LSU in the quick game and over the middle, but the Tigers need that burner that can take the top off a defense and make a play down the sideline.

That’s [autotag]Chris Hilton.[/autotag]

Tiger fans should expect clarity on Hilton’s future in the coming weeks, but LSU head coach Kelly has yet to reveal anything.

Giants vs. Falcons: 3 best prop bets for Week 16

The New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons face off on Sunday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Here are three prop bets to consider.

The Atlanta Falcons (7-7) host the New York Giants (2-12) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this Sunday in a game that the Falcons need to win to stay alive in the NFC Playoff picture.

Oddsmakers initially made Atlanta 10-point favorites. That number has been bet down to 8.5 points during the week. The over/under has held steady at 42 total points and the money line is currently Giants +350, Falcons -450.

For bettors, there’s money to be had in every game and this game is no different. If you don’t like the lines or the over/under, you can bet a few props, which we will give you our top 3 below.

What you need to know before you bet…

The Giants had a total of 21 players listed on their injury report on Thursday. They have lost nine straight games and have not scored over 29 points in a single game this season. In fact, they’ve only scored over 20 points four times.

The Falcons have averaged 16.3 points per game over their last three and decided to make a switch at quarterback, benching veteran Kirk Cousins for rookie Michael Penix Jr. They are one game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South and have won both meetings with them this season.

Here are our top 3 props for this game, per BetMGM.

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson OVER 125 total rushing/receiving yards (-105)

This matchup was tailor-made for the versatile, explosive Bijan Robinson, who has rushed for over 90 yards in four of his last five games and now faces a Giants defense that is allowing 143.7 yards per game on the ground this season. With a rookie quarterback under center (Penix Jr.) making his first NFL start, it just makes sense the offense will run through Robinson even more this week.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Giants WR Malik Nabers OVER 6.5 receptions (-100)

The Giants have been targeting Malik Nabers pretty well this year. He ranks fourth in the NFL in targets and he’s missed two games. But catchable targets are what count. Nabers knows he will be asked to make the contested catches — and he’s been doing that — but he’s also dropped a ton of passes. That aside, they will pepper him again this week. Last week he caught 10 of 14 targets. He should be able to do that again this week.

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Giants RB Devin Singletary anytime TD scorer (+425)

The Giants heard Devin Singletary’s grips about not getting the football last week and upped his usage last week. If they continue to buy into him, he could see a goal-line touch here that gets him into the end zone.

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Giants injury report: Brian Burns expected to play vs. Falcons

New York Giants LB Brian Burns missed practice again on Thursday, joining a 21-player injury report, but is expected to play vs. Falcons.

The New York Giants took the field on Thursday for their second of three practices ahead of a Week 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Beforehand, head coach Brian Daboll updated the status of several injured players, including linebacker Brian Burns, who he said would not practice for the second straight day but could suit up come Sunday.

“Should be ready to go for the game,” he said of Burns.

Daboll was also optimistic that quarterback Tommy DeVito, who remains in concussion protocol, would serve as QB2 against the Falcons.

“I think he’ll be available,” he said.

Meanwhile, quarterback Drew Lock, who is dealing with heel and elbow issues, made it through Wednesday’s practice okay and remains the projected starter on Sunday.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: OL Aaron Stinnie (concussion), LB Bobby Okereke (backs), LB Brian Burns (ankle), LB Patrick Johnson (knee), CB Greg Stroman Jr. (shoulder/shin)

Limited participant: QB Tommy DeVito (concussion), CB Deonte Banks (ribs), CB Cor’Dale Flott (quad/finger), CB Art Green (shoulder), DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder), CB Andru Phillips (shoulder), OL John Michael Schmitz (ankle), RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle)

Full participant: LB Dyontae Johnson (ankle), OL Austin Schlottmann (fibula), S Dane Belton (knee), DL Cory Durden (shoulder), QB Drew Lock (heel/elbow), TE Chris Manhertz (ankle), WR Malik Nabers (knee/foot), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (shoulder)

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Giants’ Malik Nabers keeping close eye on record books

With nothing else to play for, New York Giants WR Malik Nabers is carefully tracking his statistics with an eye on the record books.

With three games remaining in this miserable season, New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is closing in on some league and franchise records.

Nabers has had a solid debut season despite missing two games with a concussion and playing through a slew of other nagging health issues in a Giants’ offense that has seen four different quarterbacks throw passes this season.

On Wednesday, Nabers was reminded at his media session that he is just one reception away from tying the Giants’ franchise record for a rookie (91, held by Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley) and 15 receptions shy of Puka Nacua’s NFL record of 105.

“Yeah, I’m keeping track of it. I’m keeping track of it,” he said.

Nabers was asked if any 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.”

Can’t blame him for that. The Giants will do everything in their power to help Nabers out, too. He’s fourth in the NFL in targets this season, so the opportunities are there.

In addition, Nabers is one of five rookies in NFL history to record 11-plus games with five-plus receptions and 50-plus receiving yards. He can tie Terry Glenn’s 1996 record of 12 this week.

Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. can become the first pair of rookie teammates to amass more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage since Reggie Bush and Marques Colston of the New Orleans Saints in 2006.

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Giants list an astonishing 21 players on injury report

The New York Giants listed an astonishing 21 players on their Wednesday injury report, including linebackers Brian Burns and Bobby Okereke.

The New York Giants returned to practice on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for a Week 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Before taking the field, head coach Brian Daboll stepped up to the podium and spoke with reporters.

Two days after lacking clarity on the quarterback situation, Daboll revealed that Drew Lock is expected to start on Sunday barring a setback. He also expects Tommy DeVito to clear concussion protocol and serve as QB3.

“Drew should be okay,” Daboll told reporters. “(DeVito) moving through the protocol. He’ll do something today. I envision him being — I mean, who knows with concussions, but he’ll have a chance. If he is, he’ll be number two.”

Tim Boyle, who took over in Week 15, will fill the role of emergency third quarterback.

Meanwhile, Daboll revealed that linebacker Patrick Johnson will likely miss Sunday’s game with a knee issue.

The Giants’ full Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: OL Aaron Stinnie (concussion), LB Bobby Okereke (backs), LB Brian Burns (ankle), LB Patrick Johnson (knee), CB Greg Stroman Jr. (shoulder/shin)

Limited participant: QB Tommy DeVito (concussion), QB Drew Lock (heel/elbow), CB Deonte Banks (ribs), S Dane Belton (knee), DL Cory Durden (shoulder), CB Cor’Dale Flott (quad), CB Art Green (shoulder), TE Chris Manhertz (ankle), WR Malik Nabers (knee/foot), DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder), CB Andru Phillips (shoulder), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (shoulder), OL John Michael Schmitz (ankle), RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle)

Full participant: LB Dyontae Johnson (ankle), OL Austin Schlottmann (fibula)

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Fantasy Football: Potential bargains, must-plays from Giants-Falcons game

Here’s a look at some potential bargains for daily fantasy from the New York Giants-Atlanta Falcons Week 16 game on Sunday afternoon.

The Atlanta Falcons (7-7) host the New York Giants (2-12) in Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season in a game that has some postseason interest from the Atlanta side.

The Giants have been a mess offensively this season and are averaging a league-low 14.9 points per game.

The Falcons haven’t been a whole lot better (20.9 PPG) but believed they may have solved their issues by benching underperforming quarterback Kirk Cousins for their 2024 first-round pick, Michael Penix Jr.

The game is indoors at the Mercedes Benz Stadium, so weather should not be a problem. The Falcons are on a short week, having played in Las Vegas on Monday night.

The Giants are on a nine-game losing streak and have an injury list you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. That’s made it tough to handicap Giants games this year, especially since they’ve had four different quarterbacks throw passes this season, tying the franchise high.

Here are three fantasy streamers to consider in this game.

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson

The Giants have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs this season and now face one of the NFL’s top young runners in Bijan Robinson. The former Texas standout ranks 6th in FPS per game among running backs this season and there’s no way the battered Giants’ defense is going to contain him for 60 minutes.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Giants WR Malik Nabers

Flip the script here as the Falcons have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Malik Nabers, regardless of who plays quarterback for the Giants this week, should see plenty of footballs thrown his way on Sunday. Only Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb (144) has seen more targets than Nabers (140) this season and Nabers’ 90 receptions are fourth-best among wide receivers this year.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Falcons Defense

We’ve already mentioned the Giants’ inability to score, which is one positive for the Falcons’ defense this week. Atlanta is coming off a solid showing against the Raiders with 20.0 FPS on DraftKings last week. They have been getting to the quarterback of late with four or more sacks in three consecutive games. The Giants have had only one turnover-free game this season and have allowed 3.7 sacks per game over their last three.

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Giants vs. Ravens Player of the Game: WR Malik Nabers

The New York Giants were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens, 35-14, at MetLife Stadium in Week 15 and Malik Nabers is our Player of the Game.

The New York Giants were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens, 35-14, at MetLife Stadium in Week 15, and rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is our Player of the Game.

This game felt like it was over after the first play when Justice Hill returned a kickoff for 59 yards. The Giants were able to force a Lamar Jackson fumble on that drive but the quarterback responded with a Jackson 5 (five touchdowns).

Things have been looking bleak for Big Blue this season, especially with the poor quarterback play. Despite this, the sixth overall pick was able to have an extremely productive day.

Nabers finished with 10 receptions for 82 receiving yards and a touchdown on 13 targets.

The LSU Product also was able to draw two defensive pass interference calls that helped to extend drives. The first DPI call Nabers drew placed the ball at the three-yard line leading to a Devin Singletary rushing touchdown.

There are a lot of holes on this Giants team but fans can find some solace in knowing that the wide receiver one position has been answered.

Since the departure of Odell Beckham Jr., this has been something the Giants have been trying to find and they have now found their guy in another first-round receiver from LSU.

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See it: Shedeur Sanders, Malik Nabers play catch in NYC streets

New York Giants WR Malik Nabers and Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders linked up for a game of catch in the streets of NYC on Friday night.

The New York Giants will be looking for a quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft and depending on where they pick, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders could be that guy.

Some believe Sanders, son of the legendary Deion Sanders, is the top quarterback in the upcoming class. Others would argue it’s Miami’s Cam Ward.

The Giants may tend to agree with the former given their extensive scouting of Sanders this season. General manager Joe Schoen & Co. have attended several Colorado games and even scouted some of the team’s practices.

If Sanders does end up with the Giants, he’ll have some vague familiarity with talented rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers.

“We actually played in it, it was like a camp, the day after it was like a 7-on-7 camp. We met Shedeur in the finals. Actually, (LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier) Nuss was my quarterback at the time at the camp. We all went to the championship match against Shedeur,” Nabers said this week, revealing his team won the game.

“I watched Shedeur when he was at Jackson State. Me and him were in the same class. So, it was always like, I’m aware of my competition. But he wasn’t in competition with me, it was just always the fact that it’s Deion Sanders’ son. So, you always want to watch what those guys are doing. And they did it at a high level wherever they went. It was amazing and impressive to see what he has done.”

On Friday, the two became even more familiar as they linked up for a game of pitch-and-catch in the streets of New York City.

Could this be a sign of things to come?

On the plus side, Nabers didn’t drop any of the passes — not that he cares. But he certainly would have ruined the viral moment had he let one hit the pavement.

Ultimately, it was just a cool moment and one that is sure to excite Giants fans. There’s no way the two didn’t know what they were doing and it’s not the first time Sanders has flirted with the Giants.

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Giants vs. Ravens: 3 best prop bets for Week 15

The New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens face off on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium. Here are three prop bets to consider.

The New York Giants (2-11) host the Baltimore Ravens (8-5) at MetLife Stadium this Sunday afternoon in a game that has seen the point spread balloon to 16 as the week has progressed.

BetMGM has the over/under at 43 total points, indicating they are predicting a comfortable, low-scoring Ravens victory on Sunday. The moneyline is an unbettable Ravens -1400, Giants +800.

There won’t be a whole lot of action on many of those wagers but there are a few prop bets we’ll be looking at. Here are our top three.

Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Giants QB Tommy DeVito OVER 200 passing yards (+155)

This is a gamble because Tommy DeVito has played so sparingly this year. He threw for 189 yards against Tampa Bay in his one start three weeks ago on 21-of-31 passing. He should do a little better here as the Giants will likely be playing catch-up against a Baltimore defense that is last in the league in passing yards allowed per game (264.9).

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Ravens RB Derrick Henry OVER 100 yards rushing (-160)

Not a great bet because of the low payout but could be used as an anchor in some large parlays. Derrick Henry is chasing Saquon Barkley for the NFL rushing title and has been excellent all year, averaging 108.2 yards per game and 5.9 yards per carry. The Giants are 29th in the NFL against the run (141,7 YPG allowed) and although their defensive front played well last week, they’re still way undermanned.

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Giants WR Malik Nabers OVER 100 yards receiving (+375)

There’s money to be made on this one as Malik Nabers will certainly get the targets against a very suspect Ravens secondary. Baltimore has allowed over 40 FPS to wide receivers this season, the third-highest in the NFL. Nabers hasn’t had a 100-yard game since Week 4, so he’s way overdue. The Ravens haven’t allowed a wide receiver over 100 since Ja’Marr Chase torched them for 264 yards in Week 10, hence the number being so high.

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Giants’ lost season has some small silver linings

Things have not gone well for the New York Giants this season but there are some small silver linings entering the final few weeks.

The New York Giants are 2-11 after 14 weeks of this 2024 NFL season and with a loss on Sunday to the Baltimore Ravens will enter into some infamous territory.

A loss would be their ninth straight, tying the franchise record for consecutive losses set in 1976 and equaled in 2003-2004 and again in 2019.

It would also be their eighth home loss of the season, a new high (or low, however you look at it). The record for consecutive home losses is 10, set between 1973-75.

The Giants are averaging 14.9 points per game. If they continue at this pace, it will be their second-lowest offensive output since the league expanded to a 16-game format in 1978. In 1979, they averaged 14.8 PPG.

So, is there any good news coming out of this depressing season? Any “silver linings?”

Yes, there are a few.

Let’s start with the bittersweet story of second-round pick Tyler Nubin. The rookie safety was leading the Giants — and all NFL rookies — in tackles (98). Unfortunately, Nubin was placed on injured reserve (IR) this week with an ankle injury and will miss the remainder of the season.

Then, of course, there is first-round pick Malik Nabers, who is in line to set some franchise records. He currently has 80 receptions with four games remaining. He is on pace to record 109 catches, which would pass the franchise record for rookies (91 – Odell Beckham Jr., Saquon Barkley) and the all-time single-season record set by Steve Smith in 2009 (107).

Fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy Jr. ranks second among NFL rookies in rush yards (664) and fourth in scrimmage yards (880) despite the Giants using him in a rotation with Devin Singletary.

Edge rusher Brian Burns is playing up to his billing and is not done yet. He leads the team with 12 tackles for a loss and has 7.0 sacks. Burns is one of three players with seven or more sacks in each of the past six seasons. Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett of Cleveland are the others.

Inside linebackers Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden are building their resumes further this season. Okereke needs seven tackles to achieve his fourth straight 100-plus tackle season (second with the Giants).

Last week, McFadden became the fifth player in the past five seasons with five tackles for a loss in a single game. This week, he’s aiming for his fourth game in a row at home with 11-plus tackles.

And that concludes the good news. With four weeks to go, there could be more as the Giants try to end this season on an uptick.

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