Jalen Nailor Floated in Bold Vikings Trade Proposal
Minnesota Vikings training camp is one week away, which also means that a few trade theories will grow legs between now and the start of the regular season.
A spicy trade proposal has surfaced involving Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor. Here’s the full lay of the land, and whether a deal like this could occur.
And out in San Francisco, wide receiver Jauan Jennings is apparently available to the highest bidder. The 49ers wideout has informed his employer that he wants a new contract — or a change of scenery if it cannot oblige.
So, according to Sam Ekstrom of the Locken on Vikings podcast, Minnesota should step up to the plate and send wideout Jalen Nailor, along with a mid-round draft pick, to San Francisco for Jennings.
Nailor to SF, Jennings to MIN … Is the Latest and Greatest Theory
Would the Vikings really trade for a wide receiver who wants a large new contract?
Jalen Nailor for Jauan Jennings Trade Idea Is Here
With Jennings evidently on the trade block, Ekstrom theorized on the Locked on Vikings podcast, “Love Jennings the player. Third in contested catches last year, over 62%. He’s a 60% contested-catch guy in his career. Big slot. Creates versatility. He was 12th in yards per route run last year. So, hyper-efficient. I love Jennings. He’s 28, not that young, not a lot on his last year of his deal.”
“I don’t think it would require an immense amount to get the trade done. The extension is the issue. I would trade Jalen Nailor in the deal. I would give them Nailor, I would take Jennings, and I would try to sign him to a two-year $25 million deal, and use void years and try to fit that in.”
Ekstrom believed the Vikings could send Nailor and a conditional 4th-Round pick to San Francisco for Jennings.
He continued, “Try to make that work. I would frontload it, I would pay more this year, so it’s less against the cap next year, because you’re tighter against the cap. I think it’d be a huge upgrade, to be honest with you, and I think it’d be a little superfluous to have Nailor, and Jennings, and Tai Felton, and more.”
“Then, you get a little crowded. I would give up Nailor in the deal and give San Francisco something back. Someone to fill a bit of that void.”
Jauan Jennings Bio
Jennings produced a breakout season by his standards in 2024, tallying 77 receptions for 975 yards and 6 touchdowns.
That output prompted the veteran to pound the table for a large contract — even if he posted fringe WR3-WR4 numbers every year before the 2024 campaign. Jennings has been around for a while, drafted by San Francisco in the 7th Round five years ago.
Based on his 2024 performance, Jennings is the perfect WR2 in a medium-octane offense, which may not make much sense in Minnesota, where head coach Kevin O’Connell will showcase Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at the top of the ticket.
Jennings would probably fill the WR3 spot if Ekstrom’s idea came to life.
Nailor a Free Agent in 2026
Meanwhile, the current WR3, Nailor, is scheduled to hit free agency next offseason.
Nailor remained healthy for a full season for the first time last year, posting 28 catches for 414 yards and 6 touchdowns. Not long after the end of the 2024 season, the Vikings drafted Maryland’s Tai Felton in Round 3, which suggested that Nailor could play his final season in the Twin Cities this year.
Shipping him elsewhere — to San Francisco or otherwise — would thrust Felton into action or empower Jennings to slide into the offense as a WR3.
Nailor for Jennings Unlikely to Materialize
While Ekstrom’s suggestion is intriguing, it is unlikely to come to fruition.
Before you know it, the Vikings will have a debate on their hands, deciding to extend Jordan Addison’s contract. That won’t be cheap. The team also loves Nailor.
And the cake-topper: General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah just pulled the aforementioned Felton from the draft. There isn’t much room for Jennings and his desire for a fat contract.
More from Ekstrom
Ekstrom added more context to his trade theory, too: “This feels like it’s one of those slightly too splashy moves where you’ve got a GM, and a coach who I think like to sit these out. I don’t think it’s going to happen; I don’t think there’s a high likelihood of it happening.”
“I, however, would be supportive of it if it did. This would be a receiver coming into his prime. You’re probably buying high on him, I get that. Maybe it’s not a good process, but I think it upgrades the spot. I think it gives you three pretty unbelievable receivers.”
Minnesota could also be without Jordan Addison for a few games this season, as the NFL determines the length of his suspension, if any, stemming from a “wet and reckless” driving charge in California earlier this week.
Eckstrom concluded, “You have someone to fill that void when Addison is out much more effectively. And, oh, yeah, you’ve got T.J. Hockenson. And, oh, yeah, you got injury insurance. Guys could get hurt.”
If Nailor is not traded this summer or in the regular season, his free agency will be a hot topic in Vikings circles next March.
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