Over 340,000 people have viewed J.J. McCarthy’s touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor at camp last weekend. That’s larger than St. Paul’s population (301,380). It’s more than the average viewership of The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN (332,000 per episode). That many people would fill U.S. Bank Stadium four-and-a-half times over.
Odds are, you’ve seen it. Perhaps it’s given you faith in McCarthy, but Nailor likely also caught your attention. It isn’t just that catch; Nailor is making a case that he deserves to be the Minnesota Vikings’ No. 3 wide receiver. “He’s balling,” Justin Jefferson said on Friday. “I’m very proud of him and excited to see what he’s going to do for us for this upcoming year. I mean, every time you look around, he’s catching the ball, he’s making a play for us.
“I’m definitely excited for him to step up and to fill in the spot.”
The Vikings took Nailor out of Michigan State in the sixth round of the 2022 draft. He’s competing with Brandon Powell to win the WR3 spot K.J. Osborn vacated when he signed with the New England Patriots in free agency. Powell, 28, played in Sean McVay’s system for two seasons before finishing with a career-high 29 receptions for 324 yards with Minnesota last year. However, Nailor, 25, is a third-year prospect whose 4.50 40-yard-dash speed gives him a unique upside.
“As an athlete, Nailor is explosive with the natural balance and acceleration to create after the catch or make an impact as a returner,” Dane Brugler wrote in his draft profile.
“However, he lacks tempo and instincts as a route runner, and NFL quarterbacks will quickly lose trust in him unless he becomes more dependable. Overall, Nailor has the fluid athleticism that creates conflict for defenses, but he is more gadget weapon than polished receiver right now, and you have to be creative in the ways you get him touches. His lack of durability complicates his draft projection.”
Players with Nailor’s profile can suddenly make an impact once they figure out route-running and how to operate within an NFL offense. As Brugler alluded to, Nailor has battled injuries throughout his career that have hampered his development. Nailor has only played in 21 games since the Vikings drafted him, catching 12 passes for 208 yards. However, his performance in camp indicates that his football IQ is starting to complement his athleticism.
“When Jalen Nailor is healthy, he stands out,” The Athletic’s Vikings beat writer Alec Lewis wrote after Day 1.
“Wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell directed the Vikings receivers through early drills Wednesday, and Nailor appeared bulkier than in years past. If he stays healthy, he is likely the internal favorite to be the team’s No. 3 receiver, a role O’Connell discussed Wednesday. For as much faith as the staff has in Brandon Powell and Trishton Jackson, it still feels like the Vikings could add a more experienced and reliable option at this spot.”
On Wednesday, Kevin O’Connell said he’s encouraged by Nailor’s progress.
“Yeah, it’s clear the impact he’s had in the passing game, the red-zone sequence on Day 2,” said O’Connell on Tuesday. “He made another big play in [the] two-minute [drill] yesterday.
“What’s so great about Jalen is his versatility. He’s not doing those things all from the same spot. It may be being the F, Z, or X on any one given play, and he’s got the ability to own it and then apply what we think are pretty dynamic skill sets to go do those jobs.
“So he just in the passing game needs to continue to do the things that he’s off to start doing consistently like we’ve talked about, and then continue to show a willingness that he does in the run game to have that role as well because running the football takes all 11 guys, quarterback getting us to the right spots, right plays, timing of motions and how we hit blocks up front.”
The Vikings have been encouraged by Nailor’s progress, going back to organized team activities in June. He’s continued to impress in camp and could fill a need once the season starts. Everyone can see that Nailor’s speed is manifesting on the field because he’s healthy and beginning to understand the offense.
He’s earned Jefferson’s endorsement. What more does he need?
