Young Vikings WR Playing the Long Game
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings are expected to conduct a training camp and preseason battle this summer at the WR2 spot involving veteran K.J. Osborn and rookie Jordan Addison.
But after Justin Jefferson, Osborn, and Addison on the depth chart, second-year wideout Jalen Nailor is eager for his turn.
Young Vikings WR Playing the Long Game
Nailor could blossom even further in 2023, but he’s probably playing the long game, and here’s why.
Nailor’s 2022 Emergence
Heading into the 2022 NFL Draft, Minnesota’s wide receiver coach Keenan McCardell reportedly ‘pounded the table‘ for Nailor. At Michigan State in 2021, Nailor tallied 695 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Speedy ran a 4.5 forty-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine. He also placed in the Top 10 among receivers in several drills at the event. On any given Sunday, he’s around the third fastest player on the Vikings roster behind Kalon Barnes (CB) and Kene Nwangwu (RB).
Then, Nailor tallied 9 receptions for 179 yards and a touchdown in his rookie campaign, along with some flashy clips to whet fans’ appetites for the offseason. Incidentally, Nailor did most of his damage in ‘garbage time’ and will hope to mimic the production in the middle of games in Year Two.
In that small sample, Nailor showed the gumption to thrive at the NFL level, and it will be up to him to determine if he’s got the grit for WR3 or WR4 on an every week basis. He laid the blueprint down the stretch of 2022.
Osborn Probably Gone after 2023
Yet, K.J. Osborn and Jordan Addison stand in Nailor’s way — rightfully so — in 2023. Osborn already has a bonafide WR3 resume, and some argue he’s ready for WR2 behind Jefferson. Addison, a 1st-Rounder, must live up to a WR2 billing or would be considered a bust.
No matter what happens in 2023, though, Osborn will likely depart the franchise next March. If he maintains his current production rate — somewhere in the ballpark of 600-700 receiving yards and 5-8 touchdowns — he’ll expect a more prominent role and a bigger paycheck from some NFL team.
Minnesota drafted Addison with lofty expectations, all but concluding Osborn’s WR2 dreams as a Viking. Even if Osborn fired up 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, would the Vikings sign him to a giant payday when they just drafted Addison with 1st-Round stock less than a year prior? Probably not. For Osborn to remain on the Vikings roster after 2023, Addison either has to struggle mightily or encounter a career-derailing injury.
Then What? Nailor as WR3?
And after Osborn signs a hefty contract with the highest bidder next March — boom — Minnesota will need a WR3. They’ll glance at the depth chart and see the name, Jalen Nailor.
The club will know by then if Nailor stood out as a sophomore in the league, and if he did, badda bing, he could fill the WR3 shoes left behind by Osborn — or Addison if Osborn leaves and the USC alumnus is promoted to WR2.
Nailor can reasonably eye WR4 responsibilities in 2023 and perhaps experience more passing-game targets if Jefferson, Addison, or Osborn miss games due to injury. But with Osborn not long for this purple world, Nailor is really just auditioning this season for WR3 in 2024.
Stop the Panic about Justin Jefferson
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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