Vikings Have a Best-Kept Secret
The Minnesota Vikings’ roster has 90 players at the moment, sitting about three months away from a trim to 53.
Fans will know him rather well, but Bleacher Report claims the Vikings have a “best-kept secret” in wide receiver Jalen Nailor.
So, it’s not too difficult to find “best-kept secrets” on the roster — there are 90 dudes to choose from with the task.
But according to Bleacher Report, Minnesota’s best-kept secret is wide receiver Jalen Nailor, a speedster entering Year No. 4 in 2025.
Bleacher Report Says Jalen Nailor Is Vikings’ Best-Kept Secret
BR’s Matt Holder nominated his first version of a best-kept secret for each NFL team this week, and Nailor got the call for Minnesota.
Holder explained, “While Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson get most of the attention when it comes to the Vikings’ pass-catchers, Nailor quietly proved to be a quality WR3 and fourth option in the passing game last season. He logged 28 catches for 414 yards and six touchdowns behind those three.”
“If the 2022 sixth-round pick can cut down on the drops–four last season, per PFF–he can carve out an even bigger role in Minnesota this fall.”
And for context, this is how Holder defined his criteria: “Bleacher Report is letting the cat out of the bag across the NFL, as every team in the league has a big secret! With 90 players on the roster heading into OTAs, each club has plenty of players you’ve never heard of who will end up being big-time contributors this season. Here, we’ll be diving into one player for every team who could fall into that category during the upcoming campaign.”
“To qualify as a ‘secret,’ players cannot have a Pro Bowl or All-Pro bid on their résumé or be a first-round pick, but they must be a significant contributor already or projected to be one this season by taking the next step in their development. The latter could depend on how the individual was perceived as a draft prospect.”
Nailor’s Pivotal Year around the Bend
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah drafted Nailor in 2022, and because of injuries, it took a while for the Michigan State alumnus to make an impact.
Nailor battled injuries in 2022 and 2023, but the summer hype train did wonders last year, and Nailor later secured the WR3 job beyond the shadow of a doubt. For his troubles, he bagged 28 receptions for 414 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in 2024.
The reception total and yardage need some work as a long-term WR3, but the touchdown statistics were welcomed.
Now, Nailor entered the final year of his contract, and he’ll need to improve the aforementioned stats for an extension. Otherwise, the 26-year-old would hit free agency in 10 months.
Tai Felton, Rondale Moore in the House
Nailor isn’t alone for WR3 competition this go-round. In 2024, he boxed out Brandon Powell and Trent Sherfield for WR3 duties, which was commendable, but this time, the Vikings have two more speedy wideouts hungry for targets.
In March, Adofo-Mensah signed Rondale Moore, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons, and if he heals from a 2024 season-ending injury in time for the regular season, he could eat into Nailor’s workload.
The club also drafted Maryland’s Tai Felton in Round 3 last month, and wide receivers from that round are expected to play and have a prominent role in an offense.
In that regard, Nailor’s best-kept secret status will be tested.
Tools for J.J. McCarthy
Minnesota will, alas, embark on an era with an organically drafted quarterback this season, promoting J.J. McCarthy to the top job after seven seasons of Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold.
And like all young quarterbacks, McCarthy will need weapons. Those include Nailor, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and Moore + Felton.
McCarthy, in theory, should be in dazzling shape per weaponry.
Other Nominees for “Best-Kept Secret”
Nailor makes sense for “best-kept secret’ per BR’s criteria, but a few other Vikings might get some attention:
- Mekhi Blackmon (CB)
- Theo Jackson (S)
- Jalen Redmond (DT)
Blackmon performed wonderfully for a rookie in 2023 before tearing his ACL last summer, a couple of months before his second season. An NFL audience is unfamiliar with Jackson, who is on tap to start at safety for the club. And Redmond turned into a tackle-for-loss demon last year after joining Minnesota’s roster from the UFL — one of the most pleasant surprises in 2024.
Vikings organized team activities kick off in one week.
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