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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Tyler Forness

Vikings 90-man roster player profile: WR Jalen Nailor

Welcome to the beginning of our 2023 season preview content!

Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at each player on the roster in-depth with backgrounds and how they currently project forward on the Minnesota Vikings roster.

What is the best-case scenario? What is the worst-case scenario? What should we expect from them during the preseason and beyond? We will break all of that down here.

As a staff, all of us at Vikings Wire ranked the entire 90-man roster 1-90 and will be releasing player profiles in reverse order.

Background

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Name: Jalen Nailor

Rank: 34

Height: 6’0″

Weight: 190 lbs

Experience: 2nd year

College: Michigan State

Stats (In NFL): 15 games, 9 receptions, 179 yards, 1 touchdown

Votes: 

Tyler Forness: 39

Kevin Fielder: 33

Judd Zulgad: 33

Saivion Mixson: 34

Average: 34.75

Best case scenario

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

He earns regular snaps on offense.

Nailor has a big opportunity to make an impression for not just 2023, but also for 2024. Nailor was hand selected by wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell last year. In 2022, Nailor didn’t get much run on offense until weeks 17 and 18 and looked explosive in doing so. A full offseason with the Vikings will help him take that next step.

Worst case scenario

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

As a sixth-round pick, Nailor doesn’t show growth worthy of playing time.

Let’s face it, late day three picks don’t have high expectations. After not being able to overtak Jalen Reagor last season, Nailor is likely going to slot in as the WR4 this season, and not showing any growth could prompt the Vikings to take another wide receiver high in the NFL draft.

What to expect in 2023

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Expectations are relatively low for Nailor. He will get some playing time on offense while also being a special teams maven on multiple units. His receiving stats will likely be similar to what he had in 2022 barring an injury to someone ahead of him on the depth chart.

The Real Forno Show

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