Make The Case: LSU's Brian Kelly Advocates for Malik Nabers to be First WR Selected in 2024 NFL Draft

Nabers stole the show during LSU's Pro Day, stock soaring as NFL Draft approaches.

NFL Combine - Portraits / Todd Rosenberg/GettyImages

LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers stole the show on Wednesday during LSU's Pro Day with NFL personnel "wowed" at his explosiveness.

Now, as the 2024 NFL Draft vastly approaches, the Nabers vs. Marvin Harrison Jr. debate continues across America.

It's clear Harrison Jr., a standout for Ohio State during his tenure with the Buckeyes, has garnered the attention of NFL scouts for years, but Nabers has made his case for being the first wide receiver off the board.

Nabers clocked a 4.35 40-yard dash on Wednesday with a 42" vertical jump paired with it. Along with impressive testing results, his production in the SEC is second to none.

Baton Rouge was buzzing on Wednesday with representatives from all 32 NFL teams in attendance along with six NFL head coaches, The attention was all on Heisman winning signal-caller Jayden Daniels, Brian Thomas Jr. and Nabers.

“We had a lot of national television here – NFL Network, ESPN- getting that type of notoriety for LSU and our football program certainly is very good for your program and how your move forward relative to recruiting,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said. “Our young guys get to see what it’s like, it’s a job interview in many ways and how you need to prepare for that job interview. I think our guys did a great job of preparing for that job interview.

“Finally, the entire country got a chance to see elite players and what that looks like. LSU has done a great job over the years of developing elite players and you got to see that today.”

Nabers, a unanimous All-America and runner-up for the Biletnikoff Award, dazzled scouts with his performance that also included a leap of 10-feet 9-inches in the broad jump. He did 15 reps on the 225-pound bench press.

Nabers heads into April’s NFL Draft as one of the top two receivers in this year’s class. His results on Wednesday could vault him into a top five pick and the first receiver selected.  

“Physicality and ability to separate from great players, there has to be something you look for,” Kelly said of Nabers. “When you watch film, you see him separate from great players in the SEC. Today you saw a 42-inch vertical and a 4.3 (40-yard dash). This ability to separate on the field is now backed up by the physical prowess you see with a 42-inch vertical and a 4.3 (40-yard dash).

“It validates what you see on film and that it’s backed up by great physical traits. I think what it does more than anything else is that it shows he can separate with the ball in his hands, he can be explosive after the catch. Now it comes down to ‘who is the kind of guy who you want to get the ball in their hands’. I don’t think there’s a better receiver in the country.”

As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, Kelly has stated his thoughts on Nabers and his impressive skill set heading into April.

Following Wednesday's Pro Day, Nabers met with the Arizona Cardinals, sources confirmed to LSU Country. He's also been linked to the New York Giants and several other organizations.

Now, all attention shifts to the draft and which wide receiver will be selected first. Will it be Nabers? Or will it be Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr.?