2024 NFL Draft: Malik Nabers is a big play waiting to happen

The LSU wide receiver would add a big play element to the Arizona Cardinals offense.

Over the next couple of weeks, leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft we will take a look at close to 30 prospects to know.

Within that, we will use the excellent work of Dane Brugler, who has just released his “The Beast” 2024 NFL Draft Guide. I highly recommend taking a peek and signing up for The Athletic if only to get Dane’s guide.

It is always an exhaustive work, and he should be commended.

With that said, we will go in order of Dane’s Big Board and use his final analysis as the wrap up of each prospect.

Let’s check out Malik Nabers, Dane’s third overall prospect in the class of 2024.

Dane’s Take:

A three-year starter at LSU, Nabers was the leading receiver in offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s spread scheme, splitting his snaps 50-50 between outside and the slot. Of all the talented wide receivers that have gone through Baton Rouge, Nabers stands alone in both catches (189) and receiving yards (3,003), and in 2023 he led the FBS in receiving yards per game (120.7).

Nabers was a highly productive product for his final two years at LSU, although he only scored three touchdowns his sophomore season, some of that can be contributed to the lack of familiarity early with Jayden Daniels.

His final season was incredible and showed that he is a big-time playmaker.

An explosive play creator (led the FBS with 34 catches of 20-plus yards in 2023), Nabers uses his gliding speed to consistently win on slot fades or one-on-one vertical routes. His favorite play in the playbook is the jet sweep (his 7-on-7 highlights from high school are legendary). He also can win underneath as a snatch-and-run target and will continue to ascend as he develops his finishing skills and route discipline.

His biggest strength is making plays with the ball in his hands, why the comparison to an Antonio Brown makes so much sense.

Dane’s final thought:

Overall, Nabers has only average size/strength, but he offers dynamic potential, because of his ability to accelerate/decelerate on command and always make himself available with his athletic catch-point skills. He projects as a playmaking receiver in the NFL.

Nabers profiles as a guy who can play all over, but more than 50% of his snaps in 2023 came from the slot.

He is a killer and a big play waiting to happen.

Next up… Joe Alt