Shedeur Sanders, Malik Nabers play catch in NYC streets

On By Littum

Shedeur Sanders threw the first few of what could be hundreds of passes to Malik Nabers.

Sanders, the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Nabers, the Giants’ standout rookie receiver, played catch Friday in the streets of New York as cameras documenting Sanders’ every move filmed them.

Nabers was accompanied by his closest friend on the Giants — defensive end Isaiah Simmons — as they met up in town with Sanders, who is in town for the Heisman Trophy ceremony.

Sanders is not a finalist, but his Colorado teammate and close friend — two-way standout Travis Hunter — is the favorite.

A separate video shows Sanders in an elevator grabbing a football that has a Giants logo.

Shedeur Sanders plays catch with Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers in New York City on Friday night. Well Off Media/YouTube
Malik Nabers plays catch with Sheduer Sanders in New York City. Well Off Media/YouTube

The Giants (2-11) have an NFL-best 41 percent to clinch the No. 1 pick according to ESPN’s Football Power Index.

The Raiders have the same record but an easier schedule the rest of the way, which could lead to a win, while the Giants are headed for a season-ending franchise-record 12-game losing streak.

Nabers said earlier this week that he does not have a personal relationship with Sanders, but that they once competed against each other in the 7-on-7 tournament finals at a football camp hosted by Deion Sanders (Shedeur’s father).

That was before they found college stardom at LSU and Colorado, respectively.

Giants receiver Malik Nabers was a 2024 first-round pick. Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos

The Giants have no quarterbacks under contract for next season, although they have exclusive rights to Tommy DeVito, who will start Sunday against the Ravens for the second time this season.

Drew Lock and Tim Boyle are free agents, and the released Daniel Jones will account for $22.2 million in dead salary cap space.

Asked about the future of the Giants’ quarterback position after Jones was cut, Nabers said, “I just want the ball. As long as you can give me the ball, we’re good.”

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and head coach Deion Sanders follow the victory over the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field. Ron Chenoy-Imagn pictures

Sanders had no problem feeding Hunter his season with 92 catches, 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Miami’s Cam Ward — Sanders’ competition to be the first quarterback drafted — is a Heisman finalist and praised Nabers during Friday’s media availability.

“A player who wins 50/50 balls, wins against man coverages, knows the soft spots in zones,” Ward said. “He’s only going to make me better if I get a chance to play with him. He’s a No. 1 receiver for a reason.”