2022 Game Film Creates Questions About Malik Nabers

It’s only July and already 37.0% of the NFL Draft Community is seeing LSU wide receiver (WR) Malik Nabers as a first-round prospect, but it’s soon for that.

Too soon – – according to his 2022 game film.

Don’t get me wrong, I love some things about Nabers, but his game film leaves me on the fence, wanting to join the club but knowing he’s not there yet.

He looks like a really nice No. 2 receiver with some serious speed and acceleration. I loved North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs (2022: No. 79 IND) better than Nabers, and despite me having a pre-draft first-round grade on Downs, he lasted to the third round in terms of league valuation.

Knowing that also cools me down on Nabers too.

What are the main problems?

In these seven games, Nabers showed decent, but not great hands when it came to the tougher catches. He just couldn’t hold on sometimes when the greats would have. That’s a matter of professional opinion, but some plays left me feeling disappointed like he should have made some of those grabs that he didn’t end up making.

There’s some inconsistency hanging on that needs to be cleaned up.

He also showed decent, but not great ability to consistently adjust back to the ball. Don’t get me wrong, there was a big play against Mississippi State where he beautifully high-pointed a deep pass and he came up with it.

However, there were other ones like one against Purdue he couldn’t adjust back to a pass that was slightly under-thrown.

I also wasn’t seeing him as a consistent big-play receiver in LSU’s offense, which is odd given his high-end football speed and quickness.

Did he make big plays?

Yeah, a couple, but I’m talking about being that guy, that ever-present threat to hit the home run that drives fear into defenses – – he didn’t give me that impression. In baseball terms, he hit some singles, a lot of doubles, and a couple of home runs in these seven games.

2022: 72 receptions and 3 receiving touchdowns.

How’s the rest of his game?

Outside of those issues, Nabers looks the part. He has a knack for creating route leverage and separation. He looks polished.

Nabers has a good feel for the position.

I liked him instantly when I started watching him.

Off-field note to self

While most of the questions about Nabers surround his game film, I happened to Google his name while writing this and noticed an off-field “issue” that now becomes another piece of his evaluation puzzle.

An ESPN story broke on February 22, LSU’s Malik Nabers won’t face charge after weapon arrest.

“Nabers, 19, of Youngsville, was arrested Monday night on Bourbon Street on one count of illegal carrying of a weapon as revelers prepared to celebrate Mardi Gras, according to Orleans Parish Magistrate court documents.“

At this point – – it’s just something to keep in mind. After all, first-round picks become the faces of the franchise.

#8 Malik Nabers 6-foot-0, 199 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Summer 2023 Grade: Second-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 37.0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of July 27, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi State, FSU, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Purdue (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 72 receptions (99 targets 73% catch rate), 1,017 yards (14.1 avg), 3 TD, long-75 yards

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

An accomplished route runner with good quickness, acceleration, and speed with decent hands. Good initial quickness and ability to create inside or outside route leverage. Has some get up and go vertically. Accelerates quickly inside. Gets into his routes. Showed off flexibility at route break points. Tracks the ball well and shows good ball instincts. Demonstrated the ability to try to get open against Mississippi State when his quarterback was in trouble. Tough and often able to make catches in tight coverages and in traffic areas. Determined runner after the catch who’s not easy to bring down. Excelled in the intermediate route level and flashed deep ability. Can get separation deep. Willing run blocker.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Touchdown production?

2. Big plays to match his speed?

3. Off-field issues?

4. Catch-rate?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.