2024 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Malik Nabers, WR LSU
In a draft class heralded for elite wide receivers, Malik Nabers sits firmly near the top of the list. He is silky smooth and would be a worthy WR1 in plenty of other seasons. The Louisiana native is next in a long line of great LSU wide receivers to hear his name called early in the NFL Draft.
Recruitment
Nabers took a unique path to get to LSU. The Youngsville, LA native transferred to Southside High School for his senior season but had to sit out because his waiver was denied by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. Due to him sitting out, his recruitment cooled off during his senior season.
Courtesy of 247 Sports.
That said, he had a massive first year – in his junior season, Nabers had 58 catches for 1,223 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Nabers had originally committed to play at Mississippi State but ultimately flipped to LSU on the day of commitment when he reached for the yellow and purple hat on the table. He ultimately decided to stay close to home and play for the Tigers.
College Career
Courtesy of Sports Reference.
Nabers enjoyed a successful freshman season with 28 catches for 417 yards and four touchdowns. However, his true breakout happened in year two alongside new transfer QB Jayden Daniels. Throughout their final two season together in Baton Rouge, Nabers accumulated 161 catches for 2,586 yards and 17 touchdowns. He ended his career at LSU with 3,003 receiving yards and the school’s all-time receiving yards leader.
Courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
Not only were Nabers’s counting stats terrific in 2023, but he excelled in a ton of advanced stats. He finished the season as PFF’s #1 WR with a receiving grade of 93.1. He also finished third nationally in yards per route run at 3.64.
Strengths
- Explosive burst and quickness that helps him in releases and at the top of his routes
- Freak athlete who combines speed, quickness, and jumping
- Great at picking up YAC with his acceleration and natural athletic ability
- Excellent ball skills and has shown a high-end ability to track the ball in the air
- Even with his slight frame, Nabers excels in contented-catch situations
Weaknesses
- (There are very few weaknesses in his game)
- Can improve his ability to beat press coverage consistently
- While fast, does not win vertically at a high rate
Draft Value
Courtesy of Mock Draft Database.
Nabers is widely regarded as a clear-cut top-ten player in this class who will hear his name called early in April’s NFL Draft. He is the WR2 as I mentioned above, but he could easily be the WR1 in many classes that don’t have Marvin Harrison Jr in them.
Dynasty Outlook
With top-ten draft capital in his future, Nabers is obviously going in the first round of dynasty rookie drafts; the only question is how early. In 1QB leagues, it’s safe to say he will be the 1.02 behind Harrison Jr, but a more interesting discussion arises in superflex leagues.
Based on DLF’s current Rookie Superflex Rankings, Nabers is currently valued as the 1.04 in rookie drafts just barely edging out his LSU teammate, Jayden Daniels, for that fourth pick. Whether Nabers is the 1.04 or 1.05 in superflex rookie drafts will probably come down to draft capital and landing spots for the QBs ahead of him, but we’re splitting hairs there with a clear top-five pick.
A lot of hype has been made about Harrison Jr’s abilities as a generational prospect, but I don’t think Nabers is getting enough credit. He is going to be a phenomenal NFL player and fantasy performer for years to come.
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Drafts: A View from the 1.02 - April 22, 2024
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- Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Profile: Devontez Walker, WR South Carolina - April 17, 2024
