NFL Draft 2024 Rumors: Malik Nabers WR1 Buzz over Marvin Harrison Jr. 'Very Real'

There is a "very real" possibility that LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers could be selected ahead of Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in the 2024 NFL Draft, according to ESPN's Jordan Reid.

"Some teams feel Nabers' after-the-catch ability gives him an advantage," Reid said, during Friday draft discussions with ESPN's Matt Miller and Field Yates. "Offensive systems that value receivers who can create new opportunities once the ball is in their possession might like Nabers more."

"There isn't a wideout in this draft class who can flip the scoreboard as quickly as the former LSU target because of his explosive traits, as he had 595 yards after the catch last season, 10th in the country. I'm the only one here who has Harrison at No. 1 overall, but Nabers is still No. 3 on my board."

Nabers is ranked as the No. 8 overall prospect in the latest 2024 NFL Draft Big Board by the B/R NFL Scouting Department. He hauled in 89 catches for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns during his junior 2023 season with LSU.

Nabers ranked second nationally in receiving yards while leading the FBS in 20-yard plays (34) and 30-yard plays (17).

Reid's statement backs a Monday report from ESPN's Louis Riddick, who wrote that "there are suddenly many evaluators who feel Nabers has passed Harrison as the best WR in the 2024 draft."

B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen writes that Nabers boasts an "instant burst" as a ball-carrier, but notes that the former LSU receiver could improve at winning the ball through contact.

The Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots are widely expected to use their top-three picks to draft quarterbacks.

That would leave the highest spot for a wide receiver open at No. 4 with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals haven't committed to keeping that pick. General manager Monti Ossenfort said Wednesday that the team was "ready to have those conversations" regarding the No. 4 selection.

That presents the chance that a team looking to run the kind of offensive scheme Reid described could trade up and become the first club of 2024 to snag a receiver.

However, using a top-four pick to draft Nabers would only make sense for "some teams," Miller noted.

Others would still prefer Harrison, the No. 1 overall prospect on the B/R Big Board, or No. 6-ranked Washington receiver Rome Odunze, Miller said.

"I've talked to others on calls over the past week who say that Harrison is the clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver," Miller said. "And still yet, others prefer Washington's Rome Odunze."

"It all comes down to scheme fit and style preference, and it's a credit to the talent of all three receivers that they're being grouped so closely together."

The New York Giants, who currently hold the No. 6 pick in the draft, have previously interviewed both Nabers and Odunze, per Ben Krimmel of SNY. Nabers has also been tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars.