Can Jalen Nailor Become An Answer For the Vikings This Season?
The Minnesota Vikings have had plenty of questions during training camp. Will J.J. McCarthy push Sam Darnold for the starting quarterback job? Is there a competition at guard? Can the Vikings survive all of their injuries at cornerback? When will T.J. Hockenson come back?
The list runs deeper than Chris Jericho’s “Man of 1,004 Holds” promo, and the Vikings need answers at some point. But while they can provide them with a schematic change or a certain package, sometimes a player needs to become an answer, which is the case for third-year receiver Jalen Nailor.
So far in his career, Nailor has been a mystery for the Vikings. A sixth-round pick in the maligned 2022 draft, Nailor flashed superb athletic ability. He earned the nickname “Speedy” in part due to his 4.5-second time in the 40-yard dash. His Mockdraftable comps include Zay Flowers, Jaylen Waddle, and 2024 second-round pick Ladd McConkey. He’s flashed it in practices over the past two summers.
At 5’11” and 186 lbs., Nailor has the tools to become Minnesota’s WR3. However, he hasn’t been able to put everything together, a struggle he had at the collegiate level.
Nailor only caught eight passes, albeit for 138 yards and two touchdowns, during his freshman year at Michigan State. While he improved his stats over the next three years, Nailor never generated headlines. He caught a career-high 37 balls for 694 yards and six touchdowns during his senior season in 2021.
While his traditional stats seemed modest, injuries limited his production. Still, Pro Football Focus gave him the second-best receiving grade on the team behind Jayden Reed, who the Green Bay Packers took in the second round of the 2023 draft. PFF had him ahead of Michigan State receiver Keon Coleman, who transferred to Florida State, and the Buffalo Bills took in the second round of this year’s draft.
Players like Nailor just need opportunity. Although he may have had the physical tools to make an impact, Nailor landed in a spot with a loaded depth chart.
Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen occupied the top two receiver spots during his rookie season, but the Vikings swapped Thielen out for 2023 first-round pick Jordan Addison a year later. Even in the No. 3 receiver role, also known as the Jake Reed/Jarius Wright spot, the Vikings had a capable player in K.J. Osborn.
In addition to the players in front of him, Nailor’s durability prevented him from taking a larger role. Nailor played in 15 games in his rookie season, catching nine passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. However, the Vikings primarily used him on special teams. While many people thought he’d take a step forward in 2023, Nailor suffered a hamstring injury and a concussion that limited him to six games.
Osborn signed with the New England Patriots in the offseason, freeing things up a bit. People have projected Brandon Powell as Minnesota’s third receiver. However, his status as a gadget player and a punt returner leaves Vikings fans wanting more in case of injury or a potential suspension in Addison’s case.
That has led Vikings fans to dig up names that won them a fantasy football championship to solve their wide receiver woes. While names like Hunter Renfrow and Michael Thomas conjure nostalgia and the hope that one can provide an impact similar to Reed or Wright, Nailor could be Minnesota’s best option if he seizes the opportunity.
Nailor has done his best to maximize his camp reps this year. He’s worked in the offseason to increase his flexibility and prevent injury. He’s flashed during the opening weeks of camp, making big plays and establishing a rapport with Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy.
