Wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers are forever linked. The former LSU teammates were chosen 17 spots apart in the 2024 NFL Draft and posted neck-and-neck rookie seasons. Thomas Jr. finished first in rookie receiving yards. Nabers finished second. Thomas Jr. was fourth in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, Nabers fifth.
It’s a great debate as to which young receiver is superior, and other NFL players recently weighed in. For now, the edge goes to BTJ.
On July 25, Thomas Jr. was named No. 61 overall on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025 list, which is voted on by the players themselves. He surpassed Nabers, who landed at No. 67.
Despite Thomas Jr. eclipsing Nabers in touchdowns and receiving yards, many fans were shocked by the ranking.
What the Players Are Saying
Nabers and BTJ both received an outpouring of praise following their inclusion on the Top 100 list.
“He’s great. Obviously, he’s kind of that silent assassin,” Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said of Thomas Jr. earlier this week. “He just goes to work. That’s one thing I love about him. He’s not a big ego, look-at-me guy. He just goes and puts the work in and makes plays. His speed, his one-on-one ability, it’s really impressive.”
“The Jaguars wide receiver showed he can be a reliable and dynamic No. 1 option for Jacksonville,” analysts added for NFL.com. Thomas Jr. set Jaguars rookie records in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He was the first Jacksonville rookie to be selected to a Pro Bowl since his teammate Josh Hines-Allen did in 2019. This offseason, he is “not resting” after a stellar rookie campaign as Jacksonville has a lot of buzz with two-way unicorn Travis Hunter joining Thomas in the WRs room.”
Even division rivals had nice things to say about the two playmakers. “Malik is gonna be, if he’s not already, the top receiver in this league very soon,” said Washington Commanders CB Mike Sainristil, via NFL Network. “Malik’s one of them. He is Jamarr-Esque.”
“An emerging star in New York, Nabers was a highlight reel every week for the Giants,” NFL.com writers said. “Regardless of who was under center for the Giants, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 draft filled the stat sheet. Nabers was a bright spot in New York’s underwhelming season with his receptions tally briefly holding the rookie record, and finishes his debut campaign with a Top 100 accolade to his résumé.”
On-Field and Fantasy Outlook in 2025
The next measuring stick in the “Leek” vs. BTJ debate will be their 2025 performances. With both players on teams that finished below .500 last season, challenges may lie ahead.
Nabers is in a particularly rocky situation with the Giants. Presumed starter Russell Wilson was serviceable in Pittsburgh last season but appears to be a bridge to rookie QB Jaxson Dart. Of course, QB play was subpar in New York last year under Daniel Jones and Drew Lock. Yet, Nabers went for an impressive 1,204 receiving yards on 109 catches.
The direction in Jacksonville looks more promising (at least if you squint). While Trevor Lawrence hasn’t yet lived up to his billing as a generational prospect, he offers more stability than the QB room in New York. Plus, the Jaguars drafted Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, likely pulling some defensive attention off Thomas Jr.
It’s a close call, and even fantasy owners are having difficulty choosing between the two players. According to FantasyPros, Nabers is currently being drafted as the sixth-highest receiver while Thomas Jr. is seventh.
Much remains to be decided in the careers of Nabers and Thomas Jr. The former LSU Tigers will likely battle each other in fantasy drafts, player polls, and analyst rankings for years. As for the NFL Top 100 list, however, Thomas Jr. wins this round.
Fans Outraged After NFL Players Rank Malik Nabers vs. BTJ