At the start of Minnesota Vikings training camp, WR3 felt like just as much of a roster issue as positions like cornerback and inside defensive line. Yes, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison an elite one, two combo. But the Vikings seemed to have very little on the shelf, after those two.
When Addison was arrested on DUI charges a few weeks ago, and Jalen Nailor was sitting out with yet another nagging injury earlier this summer, it raised even more questions surrounding Minnesota’s 2024 wide receiver room.
But then, Nailor got back on the practice field for training camp, and quickly reminded coaches of why they’ve kept him on roster through all of the health issues he’s dealt with since being drafted in 2022 . He can ball.
Jalen Nailor is the Minnesota Vikings WR3
The former Michigan State Spartan has blown coaches away all camp, quickly making himself the favorite to land WR3. Then, in the Vikings’ first preseason game on Saturday , Nailor doubled down on that hype immediately.
The 25-year-old WR caught three passes, for 63 yards, in the first 16 minutes of the game. He was replaced by less important depth guys in the 2nd quarter. Two of Nailor’s receptions came via Sam Darnold, on the first drive of the game.
That’s no surprise, given he was playing the role of Justin Jefferson. But there’s more to it than that. Nailor is talented, no doubt. The only thing that’s held his career back is injuries. And it seems a healthy Jalen Nailor may be better than any other WR3 option the Vikings reasonably have available to them.
Sam Darnold is in Nailor’s corner…
And, according to Andrew Krammer (Star Tribune) , Nailor has a big fan in the Minnesota Vikings huddle with him. It’s not just any voice, either. In fact, said fan’s voice carries quite a bit of weight, especially after JJ McCarthy’s injury diagnosis. His name is Sam Darnold, THE team’s QB1.
Nailor has a fan in Sam Darnold, the 27-year-old journeyman quarterback expected to start Week 1.
“He’s been making a ton of plays throughout training camp, and for him to be able to come out here and continue to make plays for us shows a lot about how hard he’s worked,” Darnold said. “Not only to ball out, but to stay healthy. It’s been great to have him out there and compete with him.”
Star Tribune
Outside of head coach, Kevin O’Connell, there’s nobody in the 2024 Minnesota Vikings football ops department, either at the executive, coach or player level, who is more important to have on your side as a wide receiver, than Sam Darnold.
He was already expected to be the Vikings’ starter, even before JJ McCarthy suffered his torn meniscus injury . Now, he is the clear and undoubted QB1. Only one person on the football field can get a wide receiver the football, and, in Minnesota this year, that’s Sam Darnold.
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In an offense that also includes Jefferson and Addison, not to mention TJ Hockenson and Aaron Jones… it’ll be key for Jalen Nailor to build up as much rapport as possible with his new quarterback. So far, so good.
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