Since the Minnesota Vikings opened training camp last weekend with the arrival of the first players, some competitions have picked up steam. That includes the crucial quarterback spot with candidates Sam Darnold and rookie J.J. McCarthy. The guys catching their passes must also form a new depth chart after K.J. Osborn’s exit in March. There are three main candidates.
Promising WR3 Candidate Sees Steady Growth in Stock Value
Kevin O’Connell implemented an offense that heavily features sets with three wideouts, especially compared to the previous regime with offensive coordinators Gary and Klint Kubiak, who enjoyed having two tight ends or two backs (one fullback) on the field.
That third receiver must be an under-the-radar playmaker when the majority of work is done by Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. He’ll not be a heavily featured player, but he must be a sure-handed target whenever the quarterback pulls the trigger and tosses the ball in his direction. His advantage, obviously, is that defenses will pay more attention to the other three dynamic receivers.
Candidates to step into that role are punt returner Brandon Powell, veteran Trent Sherfield, and 2022 draftee Jalen Nailor.
The latter might have the highest upside of the group after showing flashes of dynamic playmaking ability in his debut season. Unfortunately, injuries have slowed him down in his NFL career and during his college days at Michigan State. Through two years with the Vikings, Nailor has played in 21 games, recording 12 catches for 208 yards and one score.
Two soft tissue injuries and a concussion limited his production last year after a promising debut season with a breakout game late in the year versus the Packers. His performance with 89 yards and the touchdown was among the few bright spots in the forgettable game.
The first week of training camp practices suggests that he’s been explosive, which could catapult him past Powell at the WR3 spot. Head coach Kevin O’Connell talked about him on Saturday after another strong showing.
He’s in year three now and maybe hasn’t been able to show all of the consistency that Jalen expects of himself but when he has been out there, he has made plays consistently. I think we’re all very optimistic about Jalen because he’s proven what he is as a football player. It’s not a question of that, it’s just a matter of can he be out there, can he be handle the versatility that comes with playing in the huddle with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Kevin O’Connell talking about Jalen Nailor
His injuries cost him all but six games last season, and in college, he only played 28 contests in four seasons. The versatility is needed because the offense features the other two guys, and they aren’t one-trick ponies. Jefferson and Addison can run every route in the book and they can line up all over the field, so having the same skillset is essential to fully unleash the duo. Nailor thinks he can handle that, as he claimed on Saturday.
I feel really comfortable within the offense going into my third year. Just trying to be as versatile as I can. … I definitely feel like I fit into that role [of the WR3] well, I can play both inside and outside; move around in the offense. Just having that mindset of just being able to play all three positions, I feel like that gives me a good bump.
Jalen Nailor
Nailor’s seven-on-seven period on Saturday raised some eyebrows. The receiver caught a touchdown from each of Darnold, McCarthy, and Nick Mullens. And those catches were pretty sweet, too, according to SI.com’s Will Ragatz: “He made a nice lunging grab on a ball from Sam Darnold, snagged a one-handed catch on a Nick Mullens pass that was slightly behind him, and then leaped up in the back corner of the end zone and got both feet down for a score from J.J. McCarthy.”
Staying healthy is key for the 25-year-old, but if he can do that, there’s a decent chance he can be Minnesota’s third receiver. He was a popular breakout candidate entering training camp, and one week later, his stock price keeps rising.
