Vikings Coach Was “Pounding the Table” for This Player
Noah Moore
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There was at least one member of the Minnesota Vikings’ organization who got what they wanted on draft night.
Heading into the draft, Vikings wide receiver coach, Keenan McCardell, was “pounding the table” to improve the Vikings wide receivers room, and for them to draft Michigan State wide receiver Jalen Nailor.
Vikings Wide Receiver Coach Keenan McCardell
McCardell has a ton of NFL experience, including two Pro Bowl visits and two Super Bowl wins as a player, in addition to eight seasons of experience as a coach. McCardell has done a good job in his two seasons as the Vikings’ wide receivers coach. Under his watch, Justin Jefferson posted the second most receiving yards in the NFL last season, second only to Cooper Kupp.
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So it makes sense that the Vikings listened to the 17-year NFL veteran when he “pounded on the table” for a player, selecting Jalen Nailor with the 191st overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Heading into the draft, Kwesi stressed how the draft process was a collaborative process, and we are seeing evidence that Kwesi meant what he said right away.
After the draft, Vikings director of college scouting spoke about Nailor as a prospect:
“We’re always looking for guys who can finish and score,” Sholiton said of Nailor. “I know Keenan was in there pounding the table for him.”
Wide Receiver Jalen Nailor
Putting on the film, it is easy to see what McCardell liked about Nailor as a prospect. The 6’0 190 pound speedster runs crisp routes, catches the ball with his hands, and is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. His 4.5 speed translates well to the field, and Nailor averaged 18 yards per receptions last season, scoring six touchdowns.
The Minnesota Vikings currently have several talented receivers at the top of the depth chart, but there is room for competition at the #4 and #5 spots.
We saw what McCardell was able to get out of 5th round pick K.J. Osbourn; it will be interesting to see if he can get similar results out of the 6th round pick out of Michigan State.
