EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Three times, Daniel Jones mentioned his emotions about his newest wide receiver.
Each time, the New York Giants quarterback described sixth overall pick Malik Nabers with the same phrase.
“Fired up to get Malik,” Jones said Thursday after an OTA practice.
“I was fired up to see we got him,” Jones added of the LSU receiver selected sixth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
“I’m fired up we got Malik and looking forward to getting to work with him.”
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Jones’ excitement (which came across more in his language than his typically balanced disposition) was twofold. Sure, Nabers brings the Giants a dynamic weapon unlike the receiver rooms Jones worked with during his first five seasons in New York. A year after his first 1,000-yard season, Nabers caught 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final collegiate campaign.
But also, the Giants’ selection of Nabers at receiver simultaneously meant the franchise didn’t select a new premium-capital quarterback. Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen had met extensively with top 2024 quarterback prospects through the spring.
How did Jones feel about the Giants exploring quarterback replacements so seriously?
“Yeah, I mean, I wasn’t fired up about it,” Jones said. “But I think it’s part of it at this level. What I can do is focus on myself and getting healthy. Play the best football I can play and that I know I’m capable of playing.
“That’s my job and that’s what I’m gonna do.”
Jones heard the chatter about the Giants’ interest in other QBs, including the franchise reportedly pursuing a trade with the New England Patriots to draft North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye third overall. The franchise did not update him on their plans until they alerted him to the Nabers pick.
“I wasn’t sure what was gonna happen or how it was gonna play out, so I was just watching and waiting to see like everybody else,”…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/daniel-jones-wasnt-fired-up-about-giants-attempts-to-draft-his-replacement-201921949.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-05-23 20:19:21
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