2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Malik Nabers, WR LSU
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Malik Nabers, Wide Reciever from Louisiana State University. He is from Youngsville, Louisiana, and was a 4-star recruit out of Southside High School.
As a Freshman, Nabers set the tone for the player to the tune of 28 receptions for 417 yards and four touchdowns, highlighted by week 143 yard 9 performance against Louisiana Monroe.
In 2022, Nabers proved he was a formidable player as he almost doubled the production of future NFL wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. Nabers had 72 receptions, 1,014 yards, and four touchdowns. This was just a glimpse of the great things that were yet to come.
Nabers’ final season at LSU in 2023 was one for the history books, as he dominated with his impressive 89 receptions, 1,569 yards, and 14 touchdowns. As a result, he now holds the record as the all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards at LSU.
Malik Nabers has established himself as one of the top wide receivers in the 2024 draft class, having completed three successful seasons at LSU. He is anticipated to be a highly sought-after asset to any NFL team and is projected to be an early first-round pick.
Measurables
NCAA Statistics
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| *2021 | LSU | SEC | FR | WR | 11 | 28 | 417 | 14.9 | 4 | 4 | 23 | 5.8 | 0 | 32 | 440 | 13.8 | 4 |
| *2022 | LSU | SEC | SO | 14 | 72 | 1017 | 14.1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 | 73 | 1022 | 14.0 | 3 | |
| *2023 | LSU | SEC | JR | WR | 13 | 89 | 1569 | 17.6 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 90 | 1570 | 17.4 | 14 |
| Career | LSU | 189 | 3003 | 15.9 | 21 | 6 | 29 | 4.8 | 0 | 195 | 3032 | 15.5 | 21 | ||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- His explosive ability is terrifying, as he can seemingly shift gears to leave defenders in the dust.
- His exceptional ability to track the ball can translate into success in the NFL downfield.
- Excellent YAC ability. His open-field running is a problem for defenses.
- He understands how to read defenses and can effectively position himself in the correct spaces of zone coverages.
- The versatile player has spatial awareness and can line up inside or outside.
Weaknesses
- He needs to develop his full range of routes, particularly if he hopes to become an X receiver.
- From time to time some concentration drops need to be cleaned up.
- He needs to improve his release to avoid being pressed by corners at the line of scrimmage.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Top 10 Overall
Ideal Landing Spot: Los Angeles Chargers
Pairing a talented prospect like Malik Nabers with an elite quarterback such as Justin Herbert is a dream come true. For a team like the Chargers, who need an impact weapon, Nabers is the perfect fit to complement Herbert.
The Los Angeles team selected a wide receiver in the first round last year. However, Quentin Johnston struggled throughout the year to get sufficient field time and make an impact. Despite the wide receiver room being affected by injuries, Johnston failed to demonstrate the potential he had shown as a prospect. With Keenan Allen getting older and Mike Williams recovering from a significant knee injury, the team desperately needs to add some young talent to the wide receiver room.
Los Angeles is currently searching for a new head coach and they are hoping to make a splashy addition to their team. Nabers fits all the criteria of being an impactful wide receiver from day one for any NFL franchise.
Post-Draft Analysis
Pick 1.06 to the New York Giants
Nabers
Check out The Fantasy Football Universe video breakdown of Malik Nabers below.
