by J.T. Toth
Photo courtesy of 247Sports.
The NFL Draft talk never ends, and we are here at Draft 412 in an effort to keep you ready for the next set of gridiron stars. From today until draft night 2024, we will bring you mocks, profiles, team needs, and everything else related to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Today’s Spotlight - LSU, Wide Receiver, Malik Nabers
Name- Malik Nabers
Pos- Wide Receiver
Team- LSU
HT/WT- 6’0” 200 lbs.
Born- 7/28/2003
Home – Youngsville, LA
Nabers attended Ovey Comeaux High School in Lafayette, Louisiana before transferring to Southside High School in Youngsville, Louisiana for his senior year. He was unable to play football his senior year due to his transfer waiver being denied. In his last season of high school football, he had 58 receptions for 1,223 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was still ranked a 4-star prospect despite missing his senior season. Originally, he committed to Mississippi State but switched to LSU.
Nabers transitioned to college ball smoothly, playing 11 games with 6 games as a starter. He collected 28 receptions for 417 yards and 4 touchdowns and earned Freshman All-SEC honors. During his sophomore season, Nabers led the SEC in receptions with 72 and finished 2nd in receiving yards with 1,017. He played all 14 games, starting 11 and had a catch in 18 consecutive games entering the 2023 season.
Malik Nabers is a versatile weapon, able to line up in the slot or on the outside, and can be used on short or long routes. He has the body control to contort and make catches no matter where the ball is thrown. He is creative after receptions and can see the field well. He explodes off the snap and has excellent straight line speed.
Nabers is a fluid mover with strong hands and rarely drops passes. He plays with a high effort level and loves competing for the 50/50 balls. LSU liked using him in quick pass plays and he has the ability to break tackles for his size.
On the downside, Nabers, though competitive, has trouble sustaining run blocks and is erratic in what he can do as a blocker. He has quickness but not sure if he will supply the vertical speed of an NFL elite receiver. He will struggle getting the separation he needs from the better defenders at the next level. Press coverage could give him some issues as well, especially against stronger defenders.
Nabers plays faster than he may show on the stopwatch, and reminds Draft 412 of Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore, who wasn't the fastest timed receiver but seemed to take short passes and get the most out of them.
Strengths
High effort
50/50 balls
Creativity
Versatility
Weaknesses
Blocking
Press coverage
Top line speed
Final Analysis
Malik Nabers is another talented receiver who will be trying to land that 2nd or 3rd round draft projection. Nabers' versatility will go a long way in this class.
Draft 412 Draft Prediction - 3rd round