One look at the roster is enough to realize it’s a good time to be a Minnesota Vikings fan, with star players on both sides of the ball and at various positions. It’s hard to find weaknesses and easy to find strengths. One of the latter is certainly the wideout group led by Justin Jefferson, one of the brightest stars in the NFL.
The Vikings Evidently Have a Best-Kept Secret
Every elite receiver needs another good weapon next to him to keep defenses honest, and in the Twin Cities, that is Jordan Addison. And then there’s tight end T.J. Hockenson and the new running back duo of Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones.
Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
One guy might be a little more unknown, but shouldn’t be, says Matt Holder of Bleacher Report. He named one best-kept secret of every team, and Jalen Nailor got the honors.
Holder wrote: “While Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson get most of the attention when it comes to the Vikings’ pass-catchers, Nailor quietly proved to be a quality WR3 and fourth option in the passing game last season. He logged 28 catches for 414 yards and six touchdowns behind those three. If the 2022 sixth-round pick can cut down on the drops–four last season, per PFF–he can carve out an even bigger role in Minnesota this fall.”
In the past, the Vikings struggled to fill that WR3 position adequately, primarily in the Adam Thielen/Stefon Diggs years, but also early in Jefferson’s tenure. The first one who was a reliable WR3 for the Vikings was K.J. Osborn, who snatched over 500 receiving yards in each of his final three seasons with the club.
When he left in the 2024 offseason, someone else had to step up in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Nailor became that guy. The 2022 sixth-rounder showed flashes early in his NFL career, but was buried on the depth chart behind Jefferson, Thielen, and Osborn. Therefore, he barely got to touch the field in his debut season.
Jan 1, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) rushes for a touchdown as Green Bay Packers cornerback Corey Ballentine (35) defends during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Later in that 2022 campaign, the Vikings experienced a blowout defeat at Lambeau Field, and Nailor was the one bright spot, securing three catches for 89 yards and a touchdown. He had another big game in the meaningless Week 18 performance and finished his rookie season with nine catches for 179 yards and a touchdown in 15 games.
His 2023 season was a disaster. Instead of the expected breakout year, he was mostly hurt and played in only six games. Nailor caught only three passes all year. He also struggled with injuries in his college career, so that became a serious concern.
Then the 2024 offseason arrived, and Osborn’s exit opened the door for Nailor. He remained healthy all year, earned the WR3 role, and his numbers exploded to 28 grabs for 414 yards and six touchdowns.
His speed is excellent, and he started the season hot, showing he can be a capable replacement for Addison, who suffered an ankle injury and was sidelined for a couple of games.
Sep 14, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Once Hockenson returned to the lineup, Nailor’s numbers dropped. Between Weeks 9 and 16, Nailor never reached 20 yards in a game. However, in Week 17 against the Packers, he surprisingly had 81 receiving yards and a touchdown, followed by a 53-yard performance in Week 18 and another 33 yards in the playoffs.
The question now is which Nailor will show up in 2025? Is he still getting pushed out of the passing attack because Hockenson is now fully healthy, or does he return to early- or late-season production? All of that remains to be seen. It’s hard, perhaps even impossible, to have four productive receivers, especially if one of those is arguably the best in the league in Jefferson.
Feb 1, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; American team wide receiver Tai Felton of Maryland (10) grabs a touchdown pass against the National team during the second half of the 2025 Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Another issue for Nailor could be the presence of rookie Tai Felton. Drafted in the third round, he might be coming for the WR3 gig sooner rather than later. They both have the speed and the size to play a comparable role.
No matter those concerns, he has shown to be a solid third wideout in the mix who can make plays in O’Connell’s aerial attack. Nailor is in the final year of his rookie deal, and having a good season can make him a lot of money in next year’s free agency.
The Michigan State product turned 26 earlier this offseason.