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Watch: LSU wide receiver makes case as No. 1 pass catcher in 2024 NFL Draft

Originally posted on LSU Glory  |  By Tyler Sakalys-Moore  |  Last updated 3/27/24

After opting out for the workout portion of the 2024 NFL Combine, LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers finally received the chance to show what he’s capable of at today’s Pro Day. Notably, he particularly shined from an explosiveness standpoint, dominating in both the vertical jump and 40-yard dash.

LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers shows off explosiveness during today’s Pro Day

Despite what many draft analysts initially thought, it seems as though opting out of the 2024 NFL Combine workouts might have been the best decision possible for LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers. After focusing primarily on the interview portion of the draft process, he finally received an opportunity to show off what he’s capable of at today’s Pro Day, and he certainly did not disappoint.

Starting off strong with a 42 inch vertical jump, Nabers put the NFL on notice very early during the LSU Pro Day. Had he achieved that mark at the combine, it would have landed him tied for the No. 3 spot among wide receivers, as Jalen Coker out of Holy Cross and Virginia’s Malik Washington were the only two to jump higher.

Nabers also competed in the 40-yard dash earlier this afternoon, and while it wasn’t exactly a world record number, logging a 4.35 second time lands him among the top pass catchers in the entire country. Only three players ran faster in the 2024 NFL Combine, as Adonai Mitchell (Texas), Brian Thomas Jr (LSU) and Xavier Worthy (Texas) recorded a 4.34 or better.

Finally, the star LSU wide receiver also participated in some pass catching for Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Jayden Daniels. Once again, his explosiveness was on display, flying down the field with ease and showed a consistent ability to catch the ball away from the body.

Growing traction as the potential No. 1 pass catcher in this year’s NFL draft

As good as LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers is and will continue to be in the NFL, it’s notable that he still isn’t 100 percent viewed as the top pass catcher in this year’s draft. As we stand today, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr is widely viewed as the man to beat.

However, the former Buckeye elected to not workout in either the 2024 NFL Combine or the Ohio State Pro Day, and while it isn’t exactly an indication of anything in particular, it certainly opened the door for Nabers to potentially close the gap.

Additionally, in terms of how he is as an overall prospect, today’s Pro Day was very much the final box that needed to be checked for Nabers. Having led the country in receiving yards this past season with 1,569 yards and finishing his career as the leader in catches and receiving yards in LSU history, there was never any doubt about his ability to produce.

Now, after putting up some of the most explosive numbers of the draft cycle earlier this afternoon, it will be interesting to watch the upcoming mock drafts over the coming weeks. Malik Nabers undoubtedly has the potential to see his stock continue to rise all the way up to the 2024 NFL Draft. If anything, it’s just a matter of how much.

This article first appeared on LSU Glory and was syndicated with permission.

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