It has long been assumed that Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will be the first receiver off the board in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. However, that may change in the eyes of some scouts after a truly eye-popping performance from LSU star Malik Nabers at his Pro Day on Wednesday.
Nabers has been in the conversation as one of the best receivers in all of college football for quite some time now, recording 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns this past season.
On paper, there is very little that separates himself and Harrison Jr. as prospects. But Nabers could potentially jump ahead of his fellow wideout after some truly ridiculous testing at his Pro Day.
Nabers showed out in a number of different categories, running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash, a 42-inch vertical jump, and a 10.75-foot broad jump.
He also had some extremely impressive plays while running routes for fellow LSU star Jayden Daniels.
Jayden Daniels connects with Brian Thomas, Jr. & Malik Nabers on back-to-back deep shots 👀
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Ti4zZzn9JP
— NFL (@NFL) March 27, 2024
Nabers did not compete at the NFL Combine earlier this month. But to put Nabers’ testing numbers into perspective, he would have finished in the top-five of all wide receivers at the combine in both 40-yard dash time and vertical jump.
His numbers actually compare quite favorably to former LSU star Ja’Marr Chase. And we all know how his NFL career has turned out.
Malik Nabers (WR – LSU)
Height: 6'0
Weight: 200
40: 4.35u
Vertical: 42"
Broad Jump: 129"Ja'Marr Chase (WR – LSU)
Height: 6'0
Weight: 201
40: 4.38
Vertical: 41
Broad Jump: 132" pic.twitter.com/QY6qkOgMkf— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) March 27, 2024
Naturally, fans took notice of Nabers’ unbelievable day. And they seemingly believe that he is firmly in the mix to be the first wideout selected in the draft.
I’m walking out of the LSU Pro Day now.
Malik Nabers WR1 final answer. pic.twitter.com/jJhSGLdXX2— Jacob Hester (@JacobHester18) March 27, 2024
Malik Nabers is an athletic freak.
42 inch vert to go with a 4.35 40 yard dash.
He’s having the kind of pro-day that could propel him to being WR1
pic.twitter.com/c99bA2zaqJ— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) March 27, 2024
There are some NFL personnel men who believe Malik Nabers is this draft class’ top wideout. https://t.co/g8kQZQ4Mmj
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 27, 2024
Truly understand why some people in NFL circles believe Malik Nabers could be WR1….4.35 40yd dash pic.twitter.com/6bgHfPCFuY
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) March 27, 2024
Truly understand why some people in NFL circles believe Malik Nabers could be WR1….4.35 40yd dash pic.twitter.com/6bgHfPCFuY
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) March 27, 2024
Only time will tell where Nabers ultimately goes in the draft. But he sure made things much more difficult for teams near the top of the board with this Pro Day performance.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.