Malik Nabers explains why he should be first wide receiver drafted
The general consensus is that Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. will be the first receiver off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. LSU’s Malik Nabers, however, may have something to say about that.
Nabers, a top-10 talent in his own right, made the argument for why he should go ahead of Harrison while speaking with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Friday.
“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, via Jason Haselkorn of uSTADIUM. “I carry the ball pretty good. So, you know, a different offense can move me around and still get that dog mentality.”
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.
Malik Nabers skipping Combine workouts
Nabers won’t participate in drills at the Combine but will take part at LSU’s Pro Day on March 27. In ESPN NFL Draft insider Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft, he projected Nabers to be selected by the Tennessee Titans with the No. 7 overall pick. The only two receivers Kiper predicted to be drafted ahead of Nabers were Harrison and Washington’s Rome Odunze.
“I look at him last year; He wasn’t the guy who he was this year,” Kiper said. “2023, you talk about what he was able to do for Jayden Daniels. The last five games of Jayden Daniels’ career? He had a catch of over 45 yards in nine of 13 games. 17 receptions of 30-plus yards this year.”
“He can be in the slot; He can be outside. This is a kid who was remarkable this season in terms of not dropping passes and producing big play after big play.”