The debate about the WR1 in the 2024 NFL Draft rages forward. Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had long been considered that player, even before the 2023 college football season began. Harrison Jr. should still be the consensus WR1, but he's facing legitimate competition from Malik Nabers.
The NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah created quite the frenzy when he took to Twitter to claim he wouldn't be shocked if Nabers was the first receiver drafted. The Athletic's Dane Brugler shared a similar sentiment. Chris Simms ranked Harrison Jr. third on his positional big board behind Nabers and his teammate Brian Thomas Jr. Washington’s Rome Odunze is also in the conversation.
It wouldn't be shocking if certain general managers rank Nabers ahead of Harrison Jr. All 32 teams rarely agree on anything throughout the pre-draft process. League-wide consensus doesn't exist, meaning Nabers will almost certainly be the top-ranked wideout on some positional big boards. But if all 32 teams were polled on the subject, Harrison Jr. should, and would, earn the majority of first-place votes.
Harrison Jr. exploded as a sophomore in 2021 by recording 77 receptions for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. He essentially doubled down on those outputs this past campaign, accumulating 67 catches for 1,211 yards and another 14 scores while averaging a career-high 18.1 yards per reception.
Harrison Jr. has certainly acted like being the first receiver drafted is a foregone conclusion. The Buckeye standout has been more of a spectator than a participant throughout the pre-draft process. He did not participate in drills or athletic testing and even didn't show up for his scheduled media appearance at the podium. The expectation is Harrison Jr. will be present, but not participate, at Ohio State's Pro Day later this week on March 20.
Nothing about his pre-draft process has been traditional. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native also hasn't hired an NFL agent to represent him. For the record, none of this has negatively impacted his pre-draft stock. Teams don’t question his character, and they certainly don’t question his playing abilities. His evaluation is as straightforward as any.
In fairness, Nabers rejected the weigh-in process at the NFL Combine as prospects continue to take control of their process. But the expectation is that Nabers will take part (in some capacity) at LSU’s Pro Day on March 27. It represents an opportunity for Nabers to continue swaying the pendulum in his favor.
It's difficult to pinpoint holes in Harrison Jr.'s game, and I refuse to force myself to try. He's a big-bodied, dominant X-receiver who can align anywhere across the offensive formation. Harrison Jr. is an extremely detail-oriented route runner, controlling his pace and tempo like a savvy veteran. Harrison Jr. makes for a borderline impossible assignment in single-man coverage.
Harrison Jr. might be his most dominant at the catch point. He successfully utilizes his frame to out-position defensive backs as the most reliable jump-ball receiver in the draft. Harrison Jr. attacks the football at its highest point with aggressive intent and confidence. Harrison Jr. fights through contract, rarely drops passes, and contorts his body as necessary to adjust mid-flight.
Nabers too is an outstanding route-runner, but the LSU playmaker offers a different skill set from Harrison Jr. Nabers possesses better downfield speed and explosive run-after-catch ability in open space. Teams that value those qualities above anything else could have Nabers sitting atop their receiver rankings. At worst, Nabers should be the "1B" to Harrison Jr.'s "1A."
Both Harrison Jr. and Nabers project as immediate WR1s. The race to be the top wideout drafted moves onward. The debate got a little spicier this week with in-the-know analysts claiming Nabers could be drafted first.
