Is Malik Nabers challenging Marvin Harrison Jr. as top WR in draft?

LSU Tigers receiver Malik Nabers. SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK

Is LSU star Malik Nabers challenging Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. as top WR in 2024 NFL Draft?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 3/18/24

Although many scouts believe Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. is a transcendent talent, will another wide receiver be taken before him on draft day?

NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah thinks it's a possibility.

"I wouldn't be surprised if [LSU's Malik] Nabers ended up being the first WR off the board."

The Athletic's Dane Brugler agreed, noting several teams tabbed the 2023 first-team All-American as their No. 1 wideout.

100% true. Nabers has been viewed as WR1 for several teams since the season. And that says more about Nabers than anything else - he's a special talent. https://t.co/QEQ2tqZDqs
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 18, 2024

In 2023, Nabers had slightly better numbers than Harrison Jr., the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Sr. In 13 games, he recorded 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 TDs, while Harrison Jr. logged 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 TDs in 12 games.

It's worth noting Nabers benefited from better quarterback play.

LSU QB Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman trophy — awarded to the best player in college football — and Tankathon projects that the Washington Commanders will take him with the second overall pick. Meanwhile, Kyle McCord transferred from Ohio State to Syracuse after head coach Ryan Day didn't assure him he would be the team's starter in 2024.

Many draft analysts — including ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. — still have Harrison Jr. ranked ahead of Nabers.

"He's on track to get my highest pre-draft grade for a wideout since Calvin Johnson (2007) and Larry Fitzgerald (2004)," Kiper Jr. wrote of the 2023 Biletnikoff Award winner, given to the best WR in college football.

As of Monday, FanDuel gives Harrison Jr. the best odds (-1050) to be the first WR selected in the draft on April 25-27 and Nabers the second-best (+650) odds.

However, some teams preferring Nabers proves there isn't a massive gap between the star wideouts. If a team chooses the 20-year-old instead of Harrison Jr., it wouldn't be an utter shock.

More must-reads: