NEWSLETTER
The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman has a sourced mock draft based on conversations he has had with college football coaches and NFL sources. It is loaded with anecdotes, intel, nuggets, and tidbits about the 2024 NFL Draft’s top prospects. In this particular mock, Feldman sends LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers to the Chicago Bears with the No. 9 overall pick.
And after reading what Feldman’s sources shared about Nabers, I would be 100 percent on board with the Bears running to submit Nabers’ name on their draft card with the ninth pick.
Here’s the 4-1-1 on one of the top receivers in this draft via Feldman:
The 2024 NFL Draft is in 15 days. And while mock draft fatigue might be setting in for some, I need you to bear with me and hear me out with this post. Because those three break-out quotes have me on the cusp of putting together a summon circle in an attempt to manifest Malik Nabers falling to the Chicago Bears with pick No. 9.
Plugging Malik Nabers in the Bears offense would be wicked and awesome
The power of the spoken and written word is something else. Don’t get me wrong. I understand that tape study goes a long way toward painting a picture of what a prospect can bring to the table. But I’ve always felt you can learn a lot about a player based on what others say or write. And when it comes to Malik Nabers, I’m digging what folks are saying about one of the 2024 NFL Draft class’ top receivers.
And if that doesn’t do it for you, then maybe Nabers’ résumé will:
There is just so much to like about Malik Nabers. Sure, Marvin Harrison Jr. might be a bigger name. And Rome Odunze certainly has plenty going for him. But Nabers is an alluring prospect in his own right. The Bears would be fortunate to land him with their other top-10 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
We’ve found ourselves discussing the Bears creating a soft landing spot for quarterback prospect Caleb Williams, the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, we have not had those same conversations regarding the wide receiver prospects. Let’s change that because Chicago is looking like a great place for a wideout to land.
MORE: Malik Nabers and Marvin Harrison Jr. are Visiting the Bears This Week
Not only are they in a position to pair a young receiver with a high-end quarterback prospect, but they are also set to bring him into a receivers room with a pair of established vets who can be a guiding light. Nabers wouldn’t need to be a savior upon arrival because of the presence of D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. There wouldn’t be over-the-top pressure from the get-go, which would allow the Bears to ease him into the lineup. And if Nabers needs extra time to adapt to the NFL, then Shane Waldron’s offense would be well-positioned to deal with that by running more “12 personnel” featuring one running back, two receivers, and two tight ends.
In the end, I find myself circling back to the things Feldman was able to get on the record about Nabers from football folks. I don’t love doing one-for-one NFL player comps for college prospects. But reading what they said about Nabers makes me think that is the type of thing someone would’ve said or written about D.J. Moore. Explosive playmaking ability. Big lower half. Separation skills. Crisp route-running ability. Heck, those things describe D.J. Moore now. That Malik Nabers has those traits as a collegiate player has me hoping he falls to the Bears with the No. 9 pick.
