NFL Draft Preview: What experts are saying about Malik Nabers
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers solidified himself as one of the best receivers in the country and a lock for a top ten pick this year with 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns on 89 receptions in 13 games in 2023. Nabers is a 6-foot dynamite athlete, looking to make his name known in the NFL, joining a long list of LSU greats in the league.
With the NFL Draft beginning on Thursday night with the first round, it’s time to look at what the experts are saying about Nabers with just over 24 hours before his name is called. There are links to all of their work below as well, with some of the best coverage in the country from these outlets.
Pro Football Focus: No. 4 overall prospect
Summary: “Nabers’ movement skills are rare, even at the NFL level. His ability to change direction yet continue to accelerate makes him an open-target specialist in the slot and on the outside. He has the kind of athleticism that demands a defense to know where he is at all times as a future WR1.”
Shades of: Antonio Brown
CBS: No. 3 overall prospect
Summary: “Malik Nabers is a super-explosive WR prospect. He gets to top gear in a flash and can sustain that speed down the field. He’s effortless off the line and has serious acceleration. He’s a bouncy athlete when needing to elevate. He has plus wiggle off the line and can get on top of CBs quickly to stack them on vertical routes. Physicality can get the best of him in press, but he’s not a weak player. He works well fighting back to the football/finding it down the field and in the red zone. Natural mover with the ball in his hands. He has RB vision, plus quickness, and his supercharged burst all indicate him being a YAC weapon in the NFL. He won’t be an elite burner, but he’s certainly not slow. While not tall for the position, he has a “my-ball” mentality in traffic. Route-running is good, but he didn’t run the full route tree. He has the athletic chops to be a star in that area eventually. In most classes, he’d be the clear WR1. His game is tailor-made for today’s NFL.”
Pro comparison: Brandon Aiyuk
The Athletic: No. 3 overall prospect
Dane Brugler: “A three-year starter at LSU, Nabers was the leading receiver in offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s spread scheme, splitting his snaps 50-50 between outside and the slot. Of all the talented wide receivers that have gone through Baton Rouge, Nabers stands alone in both catches (189) and receiving yards (3,003), and in 2023 he led the FBS in receiving yards per game (120.7). An explosive play creator (led the FBS with 34 catches of 20-plus yards in 2023), Nabers uses his gliding speed to consistently win on slot fades or one-on-one vertical routes. His favorite play in the playbook is the jet sweep (his 7-on-7 highlights from high school are legendary). He also can win underneath as a snatch-and-run target and will continue to ascend as he develops his finishing skills and route discipline. Overall, Nabers has only average size/strength, but he offers dynamic potential, because of his ability to accelerate/decelerate on command and always make himself available with his athletic catch-point skills. He projects as a playmaking receiver in the NFL.”
ESPN: No. 5 overall prospect
Mel Kiper Jr.: “I love watching Nabers, whose best trait is his speed. He can take the top off the defense. He was consistent in 2022, showing elite separation skills and the ability to high-point receptions. He also was balanced, catching 35 passes when lined up in the slot and 37 when lined up out wide. That versatility will matter at the next level. He finished with 72 catches for 1,017 yards and three touchdowns. He didn’t work out at the combine, but he ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at his pro day in late March, which would have been a top-five time among receivers in Indianapolis.
Nabers blew away those numbers in 2023, catching 89 passes for 1,569 yards with 14 scores. He has good hands and showed toughness in taking a shot while hauling in a catch over the middle of the field. He tracks the ball exceptionally well. He gets easy separation on cornerbacks. I’ve been impressed with his run-after-the-catch ability. He lit up Mississippi State with 13 catches for 239 yards and two scores early in the season.”
NFL.com: No. 4 overall prospect
Daniel Jeremiah: “Nabers is a dynamic receiver with outstanding competitiveness and production. He explodes off the line in his release, creating immediate separation. He sets up defenders before snapping off his route. He isn’t afraid to work in the middle of the field and has strong hands to finish through contact. When working back to the quarterback, he prefers to let the ball travel into his body, but his drops are limited. He can scoop low throws off his shoes and easily adjusts to balls on his back hip. He does a lot of damage on slot fades, where he uses his speed to win early, and he tracks the ball with ease. After the catch, he explodes through tackles and also has a nasty stiff arm. Overall, Nabers is an electric playmaker who reminds me of DJ Moore with the ball in his hands.”
