New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers faces six marquee matchups against elite cornerbacks in the NFL in 2026.
Expectations are high for Nabers heading into next season after he missed 13 games in 2025 with a torn ACL. The LSU product recorded 1,204 receiving yards as a rookie in 2024. While Nabers will look to return to form, he will face stiff challenges in several games against top cornerbacks around the league.
Here are the six standout cornerback matchups Nabers will encounter in 2026.
Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles Rams
Nabers will face his first major test against an elite cornerback in Week 2 when he lines up against Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie.
McDuffie recorded an interception, seven passes defensed, and a forced fumble in 2025 as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2023 and second-team All-Pro recognition in 2024.
Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans
Nabers will take on Houston Texans first-team All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. in Week 7.
Stingley Jr. helped the Texans build one of the league’s top defenses in 2025. He ranked third in the NFL in interceptions with four.
Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles
Nabers will face another first-team All-Pro cornerback in consecutive games when he meets Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in Week 9 and again in Week 18.
Mitchell allowed the lowest catch rate to opposing receivers last season at 42.4 percent and recorded 17 passes defensed.
Sauce Gardner, Indianapolis Colts
Sauce Gardner ranks among the toughest matchups for any wide receiver in the NFL. Although he missed six games due to injury last season, the two-time first-team All-Pro excelled when healthy in 2025.
Gardner led the NFL in lockdown rate—a metric that measures how effectively a corner prevents a wide receiver from gaining separation—at 69.47 percent, per Pro Football Focus. He will present a significant challenge for Nabers in Week 12.
Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon established himself as one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks last season, earning second-team All-Pro honors and winning a Super Bowl.
Witherspoon recorded an interception and seven passes defensed in 2025. He will have the support of an elite secondary when the Seahawks host the Giants in Week 14.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants’ Malik Nabers will face six marquee CB matchups in 2026
