Malik Nabers
WR, LSU
Junior
Measurables (via LSU Sports)
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 200lbs
BIO
There’s been a long lineage of LSU wide receivers having sustained success in the NFL: Jarvis Landry, OBJ, Justin Jefferson, and Ja’Marr Chase. Next in line is Malik Nabers, the junior wideout and former 4-star recruit from Southside High School in Youngsville, Louisiana.
Nabers was originally a commit to Mississippi State before changing his decision to LSU on National Signing Day. As a freshman in 2021, he earned All-SEC honors as a partial starter before surpassing 1,000 yards in his 2022 sophomore season.
Even with Kayshon Boutte never quite living up to the preseason hype last season, Nabers emerged to be one of Jayden Daniel’s favorite weapons – with nearly doubling the amount of receiving yards (538/1017) and more receptions (48/72) than the previously highly-touted Boutte.
He really put on a show at the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day. He threw for a touchdown and caught a touchdown along with 163 yards in the Tigers’ rout of the Boilermakers 63-7.
Nabers is a strong and fast receiver that can be used in all sorts of alignments and schemes. His assets and film have him already gauged as a 2nd round prospect, but he is primed for a breakout junior season.
KEY STATS (via Sports Reference CFB)
2021 (LSU): 11 games, 28 rec, 417 yards, 14.9 Avg, 4 TD
2022 (LSU): 14 games, 72 rec, 1017 yards, 14.1 Avg, 3 TD
STRENGTHS
Physical tools – Nabers has an excellent frame and quickness. He utilizes great body control underneath and on intermediate routes but also uses his size for consistently winning contested catches. His most prominent trait is his strength. He plays tough in the middle of the field. Accompany that with great initial speed, he’s a force between down markers.
Versatility – Because of his bigger size for a WR and quickness paired along with that, he excels in slants across the middle and come back/dig routes. But Nabers can also play on the outside. It probably isn’t a preferred position for him to be utilized, but he can showcase his athletic tools on the sideline and in contested catch situations. Some of his most impressive plays from scrimmage, however, were jet sweeps. You really see the speed/acceleration the closer he is to the line of scrimmage.
Both quick and fast – He’s twitchy even with that larger frame and demonstrates excellent initial burst. It’s a unique dynamic. He doesn’t have sustained speed, but he utilizes that explosiveness well to start with.
WEAKNESS
2nd/3rd gear – That initial burst is excellent for Nabers. He’s fast. But that long speed is a little questionable. That somewhat affects his ability on YAC – he’s shifty, quick, and strong, but can get caught down in a foot race. Properly utilizing his skillset doesn’t involve sending him on go routes very often – but he can win those jump-balls most of the time. His YAC ability stems from his strength and suddenness.
Needs to refine his route tree – Nabers isn’t necessarily fluid and smooth in his routes. That isn’t the element he brings to the game, though. He does have big play potential, but it stems from quick routes and that starting speed. Route running doesn’t define the type of receiver that he is or what he brings to an offense. But it’s still adequate, however.
Separation – He does great at “boxing out” and powering through corners initially with that size and power, but the farther he travels down the field, the tougher it is for Nabers to separate. He can win the contested catches, but posts and deeper timing routes aren’t his forte.
IDEAL FIT
As mentioned before, Nabers’ versatility, size, and speed give him the ability to be lined up all over the field. He can play outside, but I think his best work is done the closer he is to the snap with that frame and quickness.
The suddenness, size, and excellent body control can give any offense big plays in chunks. He’s not necessarily a WR1 – which isn’t a bad thing. He’s more catered to be a complementary player as a WR2 as of right now.
An offense and QB designed for timing routes probably isn’t the best utilization of his skillset. But he can be a factor regardless of his intangibles.
SUMMARY
Nabers has all the upside and traits to be a breakout candidate for the 2023/2024 season. His physical tools and tape from last season already have him as a top-50 selection in next year’s draft. But I genuinely believe he puts it all together this year, especially with potential Heisman candidate Jayden Daniels at the helm, and cements himself as a 1st round pick.
It’s very easy to overlook any wideout not named Marvin Harrison Jr. in next year’s draft. But the skillset and versatility Nabers provides can have him potentially as the second WR taken behind the generational talent from Ohio St.
In the stock market, you’re always told to buy low and sell high. And even though the top 50 isn’t necessarily buying at the bottom, I’m investing heavily in Naber’s potential to be a breakout player for the Tigers in the 2023 season.
