Malik Nabers Can Be The Next Great LSU Wide Receiver

LSU has produced the top talent at the wide receiver position in the last few years at the next level. Malik Nabers can be the next in line as Kayshon Boutte and Jaray Jenkins will be selected in this year’s NFL Draft. Nabers was the WR1 for Jayden Daniels this season and he had a breakout season during his sophomore season with the Tigers. Nabers can join a select group of former Tigers that are showing out in the NFL.

Former LSU Wide Receivers in the NFL:

D.J. Chark, Detroit Lions:

D.J. Chark has played five seasons for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Detroit Lions. He has 177 catches for 2,544 yards and has scored 18 touchdowns. Chark has one Pro Bowl appearance during his NFL tenure.

Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals:

Ja’Marr Chase has become one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, alongside former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson. Chase has spent two season with the Cincinnati Bengals. He has 168 catches for 2,501 yards and has scored 22 touchdowns. Chase was named the 2021 NFL AP Offensive Rookie of the Year making making him the first wide receiver to take the OPROY award since Odell Beckham Jr. since the 2014 season.

Terrace Marshall, Carolina Panthers:

Terrace Marshall has spent two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He has 45 catches for 628 yards and has scored one touchdown.

Odell Beckham Jr., Free Agent:

Odell Beckham Jr. has played in eight seasons with the Giants, Browns and Rams. He had 531 catches for 7,367 yards and scored 57 touchdowns. Beckham Jr. has been selected to three Pro Bowls and won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award after the 2014 season.

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings:

Justin Jefferson has played three seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and has become one of the best wide receivers in the league. He has 324 catches for 4,825 yards and has scored 26 touchdowns.

Jarvis Landry, New Orleans Saints:

Jarvis Landry has played nine seasons for the Browns, Dolphins and Saints. He has 713 catches for 7,870 yards and has scored 44 touchdowns. Landry has five Pro Bowl appearances during his NFL career.

Russell Gage, Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

Russell Gage has played five seasons for the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has 244 catches for 2,491 yards and has scored 14 touchdowns.

Racey McMath, Tennessee Titans:

Racey McMath has spent two seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He has 4 catches for 48 yards.

Malik Nabers Will Be One of the Best Wide Receivers in 2023:

Nabers was a four-star prospect coming out of Southside High School out of Youngsville, Louisiana. The Youngsville, Louisiana native would stay close to home as he would choose to commit to the Tigers. Nabers would step on the scene during his freshman campaign in 2021. He would earn Freshman All-SEC honors after ranking among LSU’s leaders in receptions (28), yards (417) and touchdowns (4).

Later in the season, he would emerge as LSU’s go-to target catching a combined 14 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns during the final four games in the 2021 season. Nabers would go on to have a stellar sophomore season in 2022 as he would register 72 receptions for 1,017 yards and three touchdowns. He quickly became one of Daniels favorite targets throughout the season and would become the WR1 on the Tiger offense. He would cap off his 2022 season in the Citrus Bowl against Purdue racking up 163 receiving yards and a touchdowns as he would be named offensive MVP.

With Daniels coming back for his senior season, the ceiling for Nabers heading into the 2023 season will be high. More targets will open up for the star wideout as Jenkins and Boutte has declared for the NFL Draft leaving the wide receiver room clear for Nabers to take charge. Throughout his collegiate career, Nabers has shown that he can be an electric wide receiver that is a threat to score or make a big play every time he has the ball in his hands. Brian Kelly praised on how Nabers is just beginning to show his potential:

“I think he’s maturing, Kelly said. I think we have gone through understanding how to be in the right zone emotionally to his preparation in practice, where he’s preparing harder than anyone else, to flipping the switch to performance.”

Nabers was able to eclipse the century mark in the final two games in 2022 and has been able to build a ton of confidence during his sophomore season. With another good performance during his junior season, Nabers has the opportunity to join the likes of joining Chase, Jefferson and Beckham Jr. as the elite receivers to come out of LSU. The Youngsville, Louisiana native also has the opportunity to be a high first-round draft pick along with Marvin Harrison Jr. in next year’s draft class.