Hype Keeps Building for Vikings Weapon Who Just Got Promoted
Had there been no injury to Rondale Moore, then the news that arrived in the updated Vikings depth chart — albeit an unofficial one — wouldn’t hit as particularly fascinating. In fact, there wouldn’t be much to discuss since Moore would still be sitting in the top spot.
The cruel reality, though, is that Moore did get hurt, necessitating a move for a new Vikings weapon to help at the PR1 spot. Lucky Jackson has been bumped up to the opening, getting listed as the Vikings’ top punt returner as the game with the Patriots awaits. Can the receiver who has generated no shortage of buzz at camp lock down that critical specialist spot?
Vikings Weapon Lucky Jackson as the PR1
Turn back the clock on Mr. Jackson, someone who is 28 and who has been all over the place within professional football.
The receiver played his college ball at Western Kentucky from 2016 to 2019. His final season was when he shined the brightest, turning his 94 catches into 1,133 yards and 4 touchdowns. Strong numbers from within a modest college program. And as a specialist? Jackson didn’t return a single punt in his college career.
Jump over to his profile on the team’s website. There’s a very simple, matter-of-fact description of the next steps in his football journey: “Spent time in the CFL and XFL before signing with the Vikings on 5/23/23.”
Since becoming a Viking, Lucky Jackson has largely been a practice squad player. He has been active for a trio of games — all of them in 2023 — where he got inserted into the offense for just 3 snaps. He was leaned on for 32 snaps on specials. Note that it was within the ’23 season when Minnesota’s QBs were taking turns getting hurt or demoted. So, too, was it the year when Justin Jefferson missed seven full games (and part of two more).
Going into 2025, Lucky Jackson looks like someone who is going to crack the roster. The PR1 opening arrived due to unfortunate circumstances — no one wants to see a player seriously hurt — but the cold reality is that there’s now an opportunity in front of Jackson.
The Vikings weapon stands at 6’0″ and weighs 185 pounds, meaning he has pretty good size. As a returner, his first job will be to secure possession of the football. Jackson’s focus then shifts toward field position. How many yards can he gobble up in his effort to better position the offense for success? A 5-yard return versus a 10-yard return could be the difference in whether Kevin O’Connell sends Will Reichard onto the field for a field goal attempt.
Lately, there has been a bit of anxiety around the Twin Cities due to the Vikings’ receiver depth, or lack thereof. Jordan Addison — someone who was cooking in joint practices with the Patriots — is going to be suspended. There’s then the Moore injury, removing the WR4/WR5 from the arsenal. Oh, and Jefferson’s lingering hamstring strain isn’t what anyone wants to see.
Lucky Jackson can help to assuage these concerns as both a contributor for offense and specials.
One wonders if he’s stepping into the Trent Sherfield Jr. role. Be a big-bodied receiver who clears running lanes as a blocker. Make the occasional catch, possibly as a chain-mover or redzone threat due to having good size. And then give Matt Daniels what’s needed to keep the special teams moving. For Jackson, that could literally mean moving the ball as the PR1.
Jackson is going into the season carrying a $960,000 cap charge. Becoming the PR1 and WR4 would mean that he has provided Minnesota with tremendous value.
Editor’s Note: Information from Sports Reference CFB, Pro Football Reference, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
