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Malik Nabers laments Giants passing on Caleb Downs, who lands with rival Cowboys
TL;DR
Malik Nabers criticized the New York Giants for selecting linebacker Arvell Reese instead of safety Caleb Downs, who was picked by the Dallas Cowboys. He expressed disappointment over the Giants passing on Downs, questioning the fit of Reese in their defense.
Key points
- Malik Nabers criticized the Giants' draft decision.
- The Giants picked linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 5.
- Caleb Downs was selected by the Cowboys at No. 11.
- Nabers questioned the fit of Reese in the Giants' defense.
- The Dexter Lawrence trade created a defensive gap for the Giants.
Mentioned in this story
Malik NabersNew York GiantsDallas CowboysCaleb DownsArvell ReeseDexter Lawrence
(Dustin Satloff/Getty Images North America/TNS)
NEW YORK — Malik Nabers questioned the New York Giants’ selection of Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 5 overall on a Thursday night draft show and expressed disappointment that they passed twice on Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs, letting him fall to the rival Dallas Cowboys at No. 11.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love the player, but where do you play [him]?” Nabers said on Bleacher Report’s live show when the Giants picked Reese. “You want to be on the outside of the rush, but we just drafted somebody last year [Abdul Carter] to do that same position. The reason I say [take] Caleb Downs is you have to get them when they’re available. It’s not saying, ‘ He’s gonna be there at 10.’
Nabers said the Dexter Lawrence trade created a hole in the Giants‘ defense that he doesn’t believe Reese fills.
“Because you just traded Dex, you need interior D-line,” the wide receiver said. “I understand getting outside backer, he wants to rush, OK cool. But when you eliminate something from there, you have to put something in the back end.”
The Giants picked Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10 overall. Then Nabers showed the most emotion when the Cowboys traded up to No. 11 and picked Downs.
“Oh!” Nabers yelled out, rising from a couch and limping around the room. “I’d rather get him than play against him. I even told him, I said, ‘I’m coming to get you.’ I gotta play against this thing again?"
Why was Nabers referring to Downs as a "thing"?
“Bro, he’s good. He’s very good,” Nabers said. “He’s very good. Bro, he’s very good. We all had him No. 1 [for the Giants]. He’s very good.”
Q&A
Why did Malik Nabers criticize the Giants' draft choice?
Malik Nabers criticized the Giants for selecting linebacker Arvell Reese instead of safety Caleb Downs, believing Downs would better fill a defensive need.
What position does Caleb Downs play and why is he significant?
Caleb Downs is a safety, and his significance lies in his talent, which Nabers felt the Giants missed out on by not drafting him.
What did Nabers say about the Giants' defensive strategy?
Nabers questioned the Giants' defensive strategy, suggesting that selecting Reese did not adequately address a gap left by the Dexter Lawrence trade.
Which team selected Caleb Downs in the draft?
Caleb Downs was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th overall pick in the draft.
