New York Giants Draft Prospect: WR Malik Nabers

LSU receiver Malik Nabers is very much in play for the New York Giants at No. 6. Let's examine his strengths and weaknesses.

LSU WR Malik Nabers / Michael Hickey/GettyImages

Malik Nabers, WR

Height: 6’0
Weight: 200 lbs.
Class: Junior
School: LSU

Malik Nabers was a four-star recruit out of Youngsville, Louisiana in the 2021 recruiting class. The recruitment was always in favor of LSU but they did have to fend off Mississippi State for the commitment of Nabers.

Strengths

• Explosive ability is clear on film - goes 0-100 in the blink of an eye, and his bounce is evident in jump ball situations

• Flashes late hands as a pass-catcher

• Knows how to use route tempo to create separation from defenders off the break

• Has clear knowledge of soft spots in zones and will sit

• Keeps his feet moving through contact as a an after the catch threat

• Becomes Mr. Fantastic when trying to make a play on the ball in the air - contorts and twists while maintaining control of his body

• If you want your receivers to be involved as blockers, he’s your guy

• Utilizes a decent stiff arm after the catch

• The way that he stops on a dime for hitches, comebacks, and stop-and-go routes is elite already

• Showed up in big games (Alabama, Missouri)

• Versatile as an inside-out receiver

Weaknesses

• Doesn’t have ideal length

• Release vs press is messy if the defender gets their hands on him

• Needs to clean up his route-running ability -  a lot of wasted motion

• Struggles to reel in passes that are low - catch radius goes high but not low

• Not sure what his route-running capabilities are due to playing in an offense that abused vertical routes

• I have questions about his long speed. His explosive ability is second to none, but against better and more athletic cornerbacks, he could see issues

Summary

Nabers has some elite physical tools that can make him an early WR1 for an offense with the potential to be a top-ten receiver in the NFL. His explosive ability as well as being a valid run-after-catch threat will allow him to contribute from day one but his route-running ability and struggles against press do add some risk to the draft pick.

You can build an offense around him -- draft him and worry about the rest later.

GRADE: 7.15

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