Adam Schefter: NFL personnel are viewing Malik Nabers as the top NFL Draft wideout
For the better part of a calendar year, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. has been the consensus No. 1 receiver prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. Now a month out from the event, some NFL personnel have shifted their opinion, now putting LSU’s Malik Nabers above Harrison.
“There are some NFL personnel men who believe Malik Nabers is this draft class’ top wideout,” Adam Schefter of ESPN tweeted Wednesday.
Schefter’s reveal came just minutes removed from Nabers clocking a 4.35 40-yard dash at LSU’s Pro Day.
Nabers’ 40-yard dash certainly wowed representatives from NFL teams in attendance, as well as his LSU teammate and quarterback, Jayden Daniels.
Nabers, 20, who will turn 21 before the 2024 NFL season begins, spent three seasons at LSU. He hauled in 189 receptions for 3,003 yards and 21 touchdowns. Nabers became LSU’s all-time receiving leader in 2023 after reeling in 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 scores. He was named a unanimous All-American and first-team All-SEC for his efforts.
Nabers doesn’t lack confidence, making the argument earlier this month at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis to be the top wideout in this year’s draft class.
“I’m able to go outside and win. I’m able to go in the slot and be moved around and create space on the linebacker,” Nabers said. “I carry the ball pretty good. So, you know, a different offense can move me around and still get that dog mentality.”
Field Yates on Malik Nabers: ‘Most explosive player in this entire draft’
Earlier this month, ESPN’s Field Yates praised Nabers’ unique dynamic abilities.
“Malik Nabers is the most explosive player in this entire draft,” Yates said. “He didn’t run, he didn’t even weigh in at the combine. He and his quarterback, Jayden Daniels, opted not to do their height, weight, speed measurements. Sounds like both will, at least that’s the intention, that’s what I was told during the combine, for both to do that at the March 27 Pro Day down there at LSU. But if we’re talking about tape explosiveness, it’s not close.
“He had 27 forced missed tackles last year, did Malik Nabers. So it’s not just the stuff down the field that’s really going to matter at the NFL level, it’s taking a short play and turning it into a 40, 50, 55 yard gain,” Yates said. “I think the gap between he and Marvin Harrison Jr., I really feel strongly about this, is quite narrow. He’s very deserving of a Top 5 pick.”