Malik Nabers seemingly had a way-too-candid initial reaction about choosing between the Falcons and Titans
Former star LSU receiver Malik Nabers didn’t participate in drills and only ent through interviews at the NFL combine this past weekend, but that didn’t keep him from having a viral moment in Indianapolis.
Nabers — the runner-up for the Biletnikoff Award and second-leading receiver in college football this past season — is widely viewed as a top-10 pick in next month’s draft. The Tennessee Titans (pick No. 7) and Atlanta Falcons (pick No. 8) are two teams that could be targeting a wideout in that range.
During an interview at the combine with CBS, Nabers underwent a makeshift personality test to determine where he’d be drafted. At the end of the clip, he was told he was going to the Falcons or the Titans.
His initial reaction told the whole story.
Malik Nabers was not loving all of our options pic.twitter.com/4KqKBBFrIa
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) March 2, 2024
“Oof,” Nabers responded instinctively.
LSU WR Malik Nabers is wild for this:
“Ooof” pic.twitter.com/QMwf3HV620
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) March 2, 2024
Nabers later backtracked a bit, at least when it came to the Falcons.
“That’s pretty good, I ain’t gonna lie,” he said. “Atlanta wouldn’t be too bad.”
It’s easy to see why Nabers may not be thrilled with either destination considering neither has a long-term quarterback in place. Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke struggled for the Falcons in 2023, and the team is already loaded with talent at the skill positions with players like Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson, all of whom are on rookie deals.
Meanwhile Ryan Tannehill is a pending free agent for Tennessee, and Will Levis remains a largely unproven commodity entering his second season in the league.
Perhaps Nabers just thought it was a difficult choice, but it seems he’s not particularly enthused about playing for the Falcons or Titans.