Malik Nabers

 

OVERVIEW

Average size at 6-0, 200, but far above average in almost every aspect of playing wide receiver. Nabers is a twitched-up athlete with explosion as a runner and leaper. In 2022 he led the SEC in receptions and ranked second in receiving yards. His showdown against Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry stood out as a season highlight, and his contributions earned him the MVP title in LSU’s Citrus Bowl win against Purdue.

He entered LSU in 2021 as the fourth-ranked receiving recruit, but he is now among the elite SEC playmakers. Nabers showcased his pedigree as a big-play threat with his run-after-catch capability and a knack for high-pointing balls. Scouts like him more each game. He is explosive in open space, can work the middle, and isn't shy about stretching the field vertically.

With LSU and Ohio State being the NFL's wide receiver factories recently, Nabers is right on track to continue that legacy. The return of QB like Daniels promises another year of consistent chemistry and on-field production for Nabers. If he can sharpen the nuances of his game, particularly in route-running, and maintain his blistering end-of-season form, he will shoot up draft boards.

During his freshman year at LSU in 2021, Nabers played in 11 games, amassing 29 catches for 430 yards at 14.8 yards per reception and scoring 4 TDs. Quarterbacks found a 111.1 rating when targeted. By his sophomore year in 2022, Nabers stamped his authority as LSU's leading receiver, playing in 13 games and recording 63 receptions for 854 yards, averaging 13.6 yards per catch with 2 TDs.

ANALYSIS

Strengths: Smooth-yet-explosive route-runner who shifts gears semlessly. Elite athletic skills, he made Bruce Feldman's 2023 'Freaks List' at number 33. Wrote Felman: "The 6-0, 201-pound junior measured at 1.01 RSImod — reactive strength index modified. This essentially describes Nabers’ ability to complete his max vertical jump at a very fast rate, so along with having a vertical leap of almost 40 inches, he can reach that feat faster than anyone on the team. Nabers also produced 2700 watts peak power on power clean, which is remarkable for a skill player."

Thanks, Bruce.

Nabers shows exceptional ball skills, tracking mid-stride adjustments effectively, showcasing potential as a reliable deep threat in the NFL. Shows innate awareness and precise timing when ball reacting and is a great infielder on underthrown passes.

Nabers is physically tough and agile. Effective both outside and in the slot with an understanding of zone coverages. Cool customer in contested situations, making 50/50 balls more of a 75-25 proposition. Slick run-after-catch abilities when he can be both tough and elusive.

Weaknesses: Be nice if he were bigger, especially when he decides to get macho after the catch. Early in 2022 there were concerns about his consistency in terms of his motor. But he stepped up more consistently as he showed signs of maturation from game to game. His measurable and significant athleticism may be more impressive than his output, but we expect him to continue improving in all aspects in 2023.

High School and Personal: Malik Nabers started his football career at Ovey Comeaux HS in Lafayette, LA before transferring to Southside HS in Youngsville, LA. Despite being ruled ineligible to play his senior year due to a transfer, Nabers showcased noteworthy athleticism, notably running a 4.44 40-yard dash and achieving a 38-inch vertical jump. Initially committing to Mississippi State, he changed his allegiance to LSU, receiving 3-star ratings from ESPN and 4-star evaluations from 247 Sports and On3.

FRANKLY: If you can't get Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., Nabers is one hell of a consolation prize. Going into 2023 we ranked him in top 20 for 2024 draft as the No. 3 receiver behind Harrison Jr. and fellow Buckeye Emeka Egbuka. 

Review of 2023

Week 8: "Nabers Overruns Army" could be the headline, following the outstanding receiver's four-catch, 121-yard, two-TD explosion against the Cadets. LSU battered Army 62-0. Nabers' long of the day was a 51-yard TD catch from backup QB Garrett Nussmeier. — JH

Week 7: Nabers caught one TD pass and totaled 89 yards receiving — the first time in five games an opposing defense held him to under 100+ yards. LSU crushed visiting Auburn, 48-18. He had a long of 51 yards.  On the touchdown catch, Nabers took a short pass and turned it up the sideline, showing an impressive burst, on his way to a 29-yard score. As was the case against Missouri, Nabers dropped one pass.

Week 6: From a reception-numbers standpoint, Nabers was "held" to six catches in LSU's win over Missouri, 49-39. But he crushed the Mizzou defense with those half dozen grabs, going for 146 yards (a sparkling 24.6 average) and one TD. The big wideout did a lot of his damage after the catch, showcasing elusiveness and power as he racked up 58 YAC. Nabers did drop one pass. — JH

Week 5: The standout receiver had his second eight-catch game in a row, this time for 102 yards, as LSU lost a shootout, 55-49, to Ole Miss. Nabers was kept out of the end zone for just the second game this season. — JH

Week 4: Not quite as awesome an effort as Week 3's masterpiece, Nabers nonetheless put up a dominant performance, carrying LSU's passing attack as the Tigers edged Arkansas, 34-31. Nabers hauled in eight passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns, the second of which was perfectly thrown strike from QB Jayden Daniels to Nabers in the back of the end zone. The fourth-quarter score out LSU up 31-24. Nabers did have one drop, his first of the season. — JH

Week 3: First half against Mississippi State was the Malik Nabers show as he worked from the slot against man coverage. Nabers caught 10 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns by the intermission, when LSU led, 24-7.

Week 2: LSU bounced back from opening loss to trample Grambling, 72-10, as QB Jayden Daniels threw for 269 yards and five touchdowns. Nabers played  a higher percentage in the slot (6 slot, 13 wide), was targeted seven times, caught 5 for 87 yards and a touchdown.  

Week 1: In a 45-24 loss to Florida State, Nabers was targeted 12 times, caught six for 67 yards while working mostly outside (6 slot, 39 wide).

 

Week 0: DNP

HISTORY — from college profile

2022 (soph): Started 11 games … Hauled in 72 catches for 1,017 yards and three scores … Season highlights included five catches for 128 yards (25.6 avg) against eventual national champion Georgia and nine catches for 163 yards in Vrbo Citrus Bowl vs. Purdue.

2021 (fr): Made the transition to college with ease, playing in 11 games with 6 starts as a freshman … Earned Freshman All-SEC honors from conference coaches … Ranked among LSU’s leaders in receptions (28), yards (417) and touchdowns (4) … Caught at least one pass in 10 of his 11 appearances … Emerged late in the season as one of LSU’s go-to receivers, catching a combined 14 passes for 245 yards and 2 scores in final 4 games of the season … Had breakout performance in win over Louisiana-Monroe with 4 receptions for career-best 143 yards and a TD … Followed that with career-best 6 receptions for 51 yards in win over Texas A&M … Closed out season with 2 catches for 17 yards and a TD against Kansas State in the Texas Bowl … Also rushed for 23 yards on 4 carries in the Texas Bowl … Other TDs came against Kentucky (41 yards) and Ole Miss (9 yards) … First career start came vs. Auburn (2 receptions for 30 yards).

High school: Played first three years of high school football at Comeaux in Lafayette, Louisiana before transferring to Southside High School in Youngsville, Louisiana for senior season … Was unable to play football as a senior due to his transfer waiver being denied … Still managed to record a four-star rating from 247 Sports and Rivals … Rated as the No. 6 prospect in the state of Louisiana and the 18th-best overall wide receiver, according to 247 Sports … In 2019, he caught 58 passes for 1,223 yards and 21 touchdowns … Ran a 4.44 40-yard dash and has a 38-inch vertical … Played on the Louisiana Bootlegger 7-on-7 team in the summer after his sophomore season … A three-sport athlete, who participated in football, basketball, and track and field.

 

2022

passing
ATT	YPA	PCT	YDS	INT	TD	COMPLETIONS
2.0	25.0	1.0	50.0	0.0	1.0	2.0

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
5.0	0.0	5.0	1.0	5.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
72.0	14.1	3.0	75.0	1017.0

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
0.0	2.0	3.0

kickReturns
LONG	YDS	NO	TD	AVG
17.0	31.0	2.0	0.0	15.5

puntReturns
AVG	NO	TD	LONG	YDS
0.0	2.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

2021

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
5.8	0.0	23.0	4.0	13.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
28.0	14.9	4.0	67.0	417.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
0.0	0.0	2.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.0