This is a fun question to debate. Who is the rookie WR1 in the 2024 class? Since 2022, the simple answer has always been Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR-Ohio State). Many people ask, would he be the WR1 if his name wasn’t Marvin Harrison? Will he live up to his father’s name? These are all questions that surround Marvin Harrison Jr. The answer is simple: go watch the tape. Brian Hartline, wide receiver coach at Ohio State, goes on to say, “Marvin Harrison Jr is the best wide receiver that I’ve coached at Ohio State so far.” The wide receivers mentioned in this conversation include Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Terry McLaurin, and Chris Olave. These are some elite names at the wide receiver position to come out of Ohio State. In saying all of this, though, there’s a wide receiver some have pegged as the WR1 not named Marvin Harrison Jr, and that is Malik Nabers (WR-LSU). In 2023, Malik Nabers broke LSU’s record for receptions and receiving yards. This is an amazing feat, especially when receivers like Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Odell Beckham Jr, and Jarvis Landry also attended LSU. These wide receivers have different skill sets, but which is the WR1 of this 2024 class?
Marvin Harrison Jr (WR-Ohio State)
A two-time all-American and 2023 Big-Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Marvin Harrison Jr. had a lot of hype around coming into 2023, and he did not disappoint, amassing 67 catches for 1,211 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. Marvin Harrison Jr. led the Big Ten in receiving yards and touchdowns in 2023. He’s a smooth, big-bodied receiver. Marvin Harrison Jr can beat you in all phases of the game. His ability to use his size, strength, and speed to put himself in a good position to make a play on the football is unmatched. His ability to fight in traffic and high point the football is elite. Lastly, his ability to track the football on all levels of the field and to contort his body to make any catch is phenomenal. There are not many flaws to his game. If I had to nitpick and give you a flaw, it would be his yards after the catch ability. I’m not saying he can’t pick up additional yardage after the catch; I’m saying it’s not his strong suit. His rare blend of size, speed, and strength reminds me of a mixture of Julio Jones and Aj Green. He is a cornerstone wide receiver for any dynasty team.
Malik Nabers (WR-LSU)
Yes, there is a lot of hype around Marvin Harrison Jr., but Malik Nabers isn’t a consolation prize. I have it as a 1A-1B situation. As previously stated in the article, in 2023, Malik Nabers became LSU’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. He’s an athletic freak who can turn a small catch into a 75-yard touchdown, and his strengths are slightly different from those of Marvin Harrison Jr. Where Marvin Harrison Jr. “struggles”, Malik Nabers thrives. Not many players have the combination of size, speed, body control, and yards after the catch ability like Malik Nabers. Turn on the tape, and you’ll see what I’m referring to. We talked about Marvin Harisson Jr’s impressive 2023 season, but Malik Nabers had the better year. In 2023, Malik Nabers went for 89 catches, 1,569 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns. Size, speed, and strength are the names of Malik Nabers’ game. He reminds me so much of former LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. with his ability to separate on all levels of the field, his uncanny ability to turn a 5-yard slant into a 75-yard touchdown, and his ability to change and adjust his body to make any catch on the field. As I said, Malik Nabers is no consolation prize; he is a cornerstone wide receiver for your dynasty teams for years to come.
Decision Time
Both Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers have elite profiles and are worthy of having the title “WR1” of the 2024 class. I’m so split between these two prospects that my answer constantly changes. Today, though, I will say Marvin Harrison Jr is my WR1. Weighing out both of their profiles is tough. I think his elite ball-tracking ability separates Marvin Harrison Jr. from Malik Nabers. This is something that Malik Nabers can struggle with at times. Marvin Harrison Jr. has an uncanny ability to find the ball early, track the football at all costs, and make a play on the football and come down with it most of the time. Yes, Malik Nabers can make something out of nothing and can take the ball to the house on any play. Yes, both wide receivers are cornerstone pieces for your dynasty teams and will most likely be top ten wide receivers in the league for a long time. I believe Marvin Harrison Jr. is the better prospect right now, and he would be the first wide receiver I’d draft in dynasty rookie drafts.
Thank you for taking time to read this article. If you have any questions, you can reach me on Twitter/X @FFChalmers. #DFFArmy #AlwaysBeBuilding
