Speedy Vikings WR Challenged by Kevin O’Connell
Training camp is the next key date on the schedule for the Minnesota Vikings. The rookies will arrive on July 21st at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota, while the veterans will have two more vacation days. Fans can watch the rookies and free agent additions on the field for the first time, and the players compete for roster spots and roles on the team.
Speedy Vikings WR Challenged by Kevin O’Connell
Most notable is the battle for the job as the franchise’s new signal-caller between J.J. McCarthy and favored veteran Sam Darnold, but perhaps even more fascinating is the duel for the WR3 spot.
The Vikings employ 11 receivers, but since K.J. Osborn’s exit, there has been an opening on the depth chart as the top option behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Minnesota’s receiver hierarchy could look like this:
- Justin Jefferson
- Jordan Addison
- Brandon Powell
- Trent Sherfield
- Jalen Nailor
- Trishton Jackson
- Lucky Jackson
- Thayer Thomas
- Malik Knowles
- Jeshaun Jones
- Ty James
Former first-rounder N’Keal Harry has been moved to tight end, and undrafted rookie Devron Harper was released to make room for ex-UFL defensive lineman Jalen Redmond.
That leaves nine competitors, at least on paper. Some of those players will be happy with a spot on the 53-man roster or the practice squad.
The group’s wildcard is the 2022 draft choice, Jalen Nailor. Whenever he has been on the field, he has shown talent. Unfortunately, injuries and, most recently, the flu have slowed him down and made it hard to challenge any players above him on the depth chart.
Kevin O’Connell, Vikings head coach entering his third season with the club, spoke highly about his third-year player but also issued him a warning.
That third receiver spot is going to be very competitive. There’s a bunch of guys that had really good springs. I mean Jalen Nailor had another really good offseason program. … When he’s healthy and on the field, he shows up every single opportunity he’s gotten. That’s our challenge to him is sometimes things are out of your control and then we understand that, but for him to take that next step, we’re gonna need to see him out there a lot as part of that group.
Kevin O’Connell
Through two seasons, Nailor appeared in only 21 games (one start). Most of those, 15, came in his debut season, in which he registered nine catches, 179 yards, and one touchdown. In the Week 17 blowout loss against the Green Bay Packers, Nailor was the one bright spot with three catches for 89 yards and a score.
Another highlight play came in London when he surprised the Saints by catching a fake punt pass thrown by punter Ryan Wright. Still, Nailor missed one game each because of a hamstring injury and an illness.
Tabbed as a potential breakout player entering training camp a year ago, he impressed early, but a leg injury forced him to miss most of camp. Nailor then was placed on IR because of a hamstring injury and missed the final contests with a concussion, logging only six games and three catches.
It’s quite reasonable to expect a splash from Nailor in training camp and run away with the WR3 job over veterans Powell and Sherfield, but he must stay healthy to seize that opportunity.
The wideout nicknamed Speedy played in 28 games for Michigan State over four seasons. Like in the pros, he showed promise but couldn’t stay on the field.
Nailor is 25 and has the talent to earn a significant role in Minnesota’s offense, but it might be his last chance.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt