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
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
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
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
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.
Previous player profiles
90-Garett Maag
89-Jack Podlesny
88-Zach Ojile
87-NaJee Thompson
86-Thayer Thomas
85-Sam Schluter
84-Jaelyn Williams
83-Jacky Chen
82-Cephus Johnson III
81-C.J. Coldon Jr.
80-Junior Aho
79-Malik Knowles
78-Abraham Beauplan
77-Wilson Huber
76-Lucky Jackson
75-Andre Carter II
74-Curtis Weaver
73-T.J. Smith
72-Alan Ali
71-Josh Sokol
70-Blake Proehl
69-John Reid
68-Trishton Jackson
67-Kalon Barnes
66-Benton Whitley
65-Calvin Avery
64-Theo Jackson
63-William Kwenkeu
62-Sheldon Day
61-Tay Gowan
60-Ross Blacklock
59-Vederian Lowe
58-Jaren Hall
57-Nick Muse
56-Ivan Pace, Jr
55-Jalen Reagor
54-Luiji Vilain
53-Austin Schlottmann
52-Troy Dye
51-Olisaemeka Udoh
50-Nick Mullens
49-Kene Nwangwu
48-DeWayne McBride
47-Jaquelin Roy
46-Jay Ward
45-Brandon Powell
44-Troy Reeder
43-James Lynch
42-Greg Joseph
41-Johnny Mundt
40-Blake Brandel
39-Mekhi Blackmon
38-Chris Reed
37-Joejuan Williams
36-Ryan Wright
35-Esezi Otomewo
