The Minnesota Vikings will enter the 2024 season with a new third wide receiver. By letting K.J. Osborn sign with the New England Patriots on a one-year, $4 million contract, it’s clear that the Vikings were ready to move on. Minnesota signed Trent Sherfield to a one-year deal worth a little bit more than the minimum, along with choosing not to draft any receivers, showing they were comfortable with the players they have in-house.
With Justin Jefferson choosing to work out on his own and skip OTAs (this was expected, don’t worry), the receiving corps has gotten a lot of new looks at starting positions. Numerous Vikings beat reporters have said that second-year receiver Jordan Addison has looked the part as a No. 1, but deeper down the depth chart, a Vikings sixth-round pick from 2022 is getting first-team reps.
The Vikings Receiver Set to Breakout in 2024
Jalen Nailor’s been splitting first-team reps with the other receivers, and in Vikings beat reporter Alec Lewis’ article about his notes on OTA’s, Nailor claimed a spot on that list.
“His (Nailor) athleticism is undeniable. It’s why the Vikings staff was buzzing about the 2202 sixth-round pick last year around this time. With Jefferson absent, Nailor, Jordan Addison, and Brandon Powell saw the majority of the snaps with the No. 1 unit.”
Jalen "Speedy" Nailor over the last two weeks: 7 catches, 151 yards, and a TD on 8 targets.
The sixth-round pick out of Michigan State appears to have the athleticism (8.09 RAS) and skill set to be a factor in the Vikings' offense next season and beyond. pic.twitter.com/WgwxqLRwIe
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) January 9, 2023
Drafted out of Michigan State, the Vikings hitting the Nailor pick would be huge for a struggling 2022 draft class. Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth will both be fighting for roster spots, but the offensive side of that draft class looks to be a hit. Ed Ingram, Ty Chandler, and the possibility of a Nailor breakout could be what saves Kewsi Adofo-Mensah’s debut draft class.
His stats are far from overwhelming, only recording 12 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown between his first two years, but that hasn’t stopped head coach Kevin O’Connell from praising him every step of the way. When Nailor came back from a couple of injuries last year, O’Connell had this to say.
“Yeah, I think you guys have always known how excited I am about Jalen and his potential fit in our offense… he’s really a Swiss Army-type guy that we can honestly play at two or three spots, but also just his growth as a route runner, his ability to win versus man.”
There will be a true wide receiver-three competition between Nailor and Powell, and they both will be given every opportunity possible to win the job. Whoever doesn’t get that third receiver job will still get plenty of run, as the Vikings always go deep into their receiving corps throughout the year, whether due to injuries or play calling. Both guys will play a lot this year. Nailor will be a name to watch during preseason and training camp practices, and if you see him making plays, he’d be a great late-round grab in deeper fantasy leagues.
Main Image: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
