2024 NFL Draft - Making The Case For Malik Nabers As WR1

April 6, 2024

Should Malik Nabers be the first wide receiver selected in the 2024 NFL Draft? Read the fantasy football offseason outlook for Malik Nabers.

In almost any other NFL Draft, Malik Nabers would be the betting favorite to be the first wide receiver selected. Unfortunately for him, he happens to be in the same draft class as the son of a Hall of Fame wideout (no, not that one).

Marvin Harrison Jr. has been atop draft boards for many franchises since his breakout sophomore season at Ohio State. According to reports, however, Nabers has made his case to be the top wideout for some teams.

Below, we'll unpack the case for Nabers being the top wide receiver selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.

LSU's History of Producing Elite NFL Wide Receivers

Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. Malik Nabers and BrIan Thomas Jr.

Louisiana State University churns out wide receivers, especially in pairs.

Here’s my Top 5 WRs. Rankings based on film.
Awesome group. So much to like with Nabers, Thomas, and Harrison. I just think the LSU guys are able to separate more and run by you better than Harrison pic.twitter.com/GsqoKflRYX

— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) March 18, 2024

Nabers is cut from the same cloth as Chase and Jefferson. Nabers ran a 4.35 40-yard dash, while Chase clocked in at 4.38. Their broad jump and vertical numbers were similar. They both measured six feet tall, while Chase weighed one pound more than Nabers. Nabers lined up in the slot more often than outside, just as Jefferson did in his final season in Baton Rouge.

Sure, there have been some receiver busts that have come out of Louisiana as well. Terrace Marshall Jr. comes to mind. However, a history of elite wide receivers out of the same school doesn't hurt when teams debate which prospect to select.

Malik Nabers' Production and Combine Results

Nabers caught 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. That was a follow-up to his 2022 campaign when he racked up 1,017 yards and three touchdowns on 72 receptions. Neither season led to a Biletnikoff Trophy, but he did finish as a finalist last year.

College cornerbacks were no match for Nabers, who easily glided past his defenders at all three levels. He finished tied for third for receiving touchdowns in Division I college football (his teammate Thomas Jr. was at the top of the list).

LSU strikes first in Tuscaloosa

Jayden Daniels hits Malik Nabers for 46-yard touchdown pic.twitter.com/jGHo4Zv62x

— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) November 5, 2023

Nabers is unanimously viewed as a top-10 selection in the draft. Whether it's him or Harrison Jr. picked first, both should enjoy lengthy, successful NFL careers.

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