So long Speedy???
Count wide receiver Justin Jefferson among those intrigued to see how teammate Jalen Nailor fares on the open market if the Vikings let him hit free agency in March.
Nailor is nearing the end of his best and possibly last Vikings season. The fast receiver, nicknamed “Speedy,” has developed an all-around game and made impactful plays despite living in the shadows of Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Nailor has been a go-to target in clutch situations with reliable hands and home run-play ability.
“He’s made himself a good bit of plays and made himself a lot of money,” Jefferson said. “Just being able to be so open on film.”
Jefferson added: “He’s the one that’s singled up a majority of the time, so we’ve seen plenty of times on tape him running wide open and creating that separation, so I’m definitely curious to see how it goes for him .”
Nailor, who has 26 catches for 395 yards this season, is a few catches away from surpassing his career highs in receptions (28) and receiving yards (414) set last season. His efficiency also stands out, with above-average marks in yards per catch (15.2), contested catch rate (75%) and drops (one), according to Sports Info Solutions.
“I don’t know,” Nailor said. “I don’t think I have any ”
Oh? Stat keepers can fumble, too.
Nailor contends he has caught all 26 passes that have hit his hands this season, including two touchdowns in Sunday night’s road win over the Dallas Cowboys. Nailor said he’s proud of eliminating drops by “being intentional with my eyes.” He also added about 10 pounds last offseason to improve as a run blocker, becoming the kind of well-rounded target who could be sought after in March.
Nailor, a 2022 sixth-round pick out of Michigan State, said there have been no hints yet from the Vikings about a new contract.
“I have no clue,” Nailor said. “The people upstairs are going to make the best decision that’s for the organization. I’m just going to keep my ears open and pray for the best.”
Nailor characterized his time in Minnesota as “a journey,” alluding to the obstacles — late-round draft status, injuries, crowded depth chart — he has overcome to contribute more each year.
Coach Kevin O’Connell singled out Nailor’s increased physicality. The once-undersized target can now fight through defenders like he did during his 20-yard touchdown catch against the Cowboys.
“He can win versus man coverage,” O’Connell said. “He’s got great feel for zones, and he’s proven now he can make contested catches with some huge, huge plays Sunday night. … Just continued to have that upward trajectory. Really, really proud of him, and it’s a great example of what we hope to do with young players.”
Nailor’s rise in Minnesota required him to learn each receiver spot — the slot (F), split end (X) and flanker (Z) — for a Vikings playbook chock full of varied formations and motions. While he has been mostly a slot target, his versatility has made him a coaches’ favorite.
“Hard work, character, he’s smart,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said. “He could probably figure it out if you just threw him in at Y if we went four-wide .”
The Vikings have frequently turned to Nailor in the clutch.
He leads the team with 201 yards and 11 first downs when targeted on third and fourth downs.
That includes quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s back-shoulder throw to Nailor on fourth down against the Cowboys. The play gained 23 yards and set up fullback C.J. Ham’s touchdown run in the third quarter.
“Just give him a chance to catch the ball, and he’s going to do it,” McCarthy said. “‘Back-shoulder Speedy,’ that’s who he is. Just put it up for him.”The play that resonates most with Nailor wasn’t thrown to him at all.
With five minutes left in a 26-0 blowout loss at Seattle, quarterback Max Brosmer threw a fourth interception. As Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen fled to the opposite side of the field, Nailor followed, punched out the ball and forced a Vikings recovery.
“Being able to show I’m more than just a receiver,” Nailor said. “I’m a football player. A guy who’s not going to give up.”
Nailor’s resilience was tested early in his NFL career. He missed 13 games because of various injuries, including hamstring strains and concussions, during his first two seasons. He credits his offseason yoga and Pilates and in-season disciplined postgame recovery routines for the fact he hasn’t missed a game since.
Injuries are “the only thing that ever held him back,” O’Connell said.
“Worked hard over time and finally gotten his opportunities in some of these games,” Phillips said. “He’s shown why we’ve liked him and why he’s stayed around and been a big part of the offense.”
STRIB
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I might be the only one, but trade Addison and re-sign Nailor...move Felton up to number three. JMO...
I posted this in another thread yesterday but my thoughts are-
Nailor has been solid this year but how much do you pay a guy for 500 yds and a couple TDs? Speedy screams “Signs A Fat Deal With A Bad Team” to me. And that might be a great move for him to go somewhere with more opportunities and money.
I think we’ll probably resign him. I don’t think he’ll command that much on the free market and I don’t think we can afford to let both him and Addison go, and I don’t think we’ll be able to afford Addison.
I kind of imagine that Nailor will be more in that 7-8M a year range and Addison will be closer to 20M a year, although maybe their underperformance statistically this year will bring those costs down and we can resign them at more reasonable prices, probably not though. Overthecap is valuing both of them in the 8M a year range. I think Addison would want to be betting on himself if the Vikings offered him that amount of money.
The only caution I'd have with Nailor is the guy could not stay on the field his first couple years, so is that the real Nailor and once he gets paid, is he back to being on IR all the time? That has to be part of the conversation
medaille wrote:
I think we’ll probably resign him. I don’t think he’ll command that much on the free market and I don’t think we can afford to let both him and Addison go, and I don’t think we’ll be able to afford Addison.I kind of imagine that Nailor will be more in that 7-8M a year range and Addison will be closer to 20M a year, although maybe their underperformance statistically this year will bring those costs down and we can resign them at more reasonable prices, probably not though. Overthecap is valuing both of them in the 8M a year range. I think Addison would want to be betting on himself if the Vikings offered him that amount of money.
I think the odds are pretty slim we lose both of them. If Nailor goes elsewhere in March, we'll have to pay Addison the following year. I think the Vikings will make a bid for Nailor though.
The biggest problem for us isn't the money. It's the job title. Both Addison and Nailer will be looking for promotions on the open market that we can't give them. We can offer Nailer market value and hope for the best, but he's still going to be WR3 on this team. Not so another team. Same with Addison. We can pay him WR1 money, but he's never going to be WR1 on this team.
Trade Jefferson, sign Addison and Nailor. You'll never get better value for Jefferson than you could right now. Add draft picks and open up cap space. Nobody builds a team around a WR anyway, QB drives the bus in the NFL. If JJM pans out then he can throw it to anyone and he will make them stars, it doesn't work the other way around.
comet52 wrote:
Trade Jefferson, sign Addison and Nailor. You'll never get better value for Jefferson than you could right now. Add draft picks and open up cap space. Nobody builds a team around a WR anyway, QB drives the bus in the NFL. If JJM pans out then he can throw it to anyone and he will make them stars, it doesn't work the other way around.
I was going to mention that. I don't think it's as crazy or as impossible as some might think.
Jets has been an exemplary locker room guy and producer. He is the face of the franchise.
He could have (publicly) been quite a locker room poison this season and instead took the high road.
Plus, I dont know if we (fans) really have a deep understanding of how much Jets changes the way defenses have to play? I suspect its significant and I just hate dealing away big knocker assets in their prime.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
MaroonBells wrote:
I was going to mention that. I don't think it's as crazy or as impossible as some might think.
The accelerated cap hit on JJ's contract doesn't make a trade this offseason feasible. Especially when you take into account that we're already over the projected cap.
With five minutes left in a 26-0 blowout loss at Seattle, quarterback Max Brosmer threw a fourth interception. As Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen fled to the opposite side of the field, Nailor followed, punched out the ball and forced a Vikings recovery.
“Being able to show I’m more than just a receiver,” Nailor said. “I’m a football player. A guy who’s not going to give up.”
That was a hell of a hit. Couple that with 2 clutch back shoulder receptions, he is the kind of player you want on your team. Not at a crazy salary, but a guy you find a way to keep.
KJ Osborne was on a similar upswing as the #3 receiver when we let him go (48 for 540, 3 TDs in 2023). Different receivers, but still probably an apt comparison. Anybody missing KJ? Signed as a free agent with Patriots (1 year; $4 million with incentives to $6 mil); released by the Patriots same year; claimed by Commanders, signed a one-year deal and was cut pre-season. Signed to Falcons practice squad a few weeks ago.
Knucklehead wrote:
The accelerated cap hit on JJ's contract doesn't make a trade this offseason feasible. Especially when you take into account that we're already over the projected cap.
Good point. Much of the future money can be negotiated in a trade, but not the dead money. Probably makes a trade impossible any time soon.
Everyone knows where I’m at on this one. They’ll offer Nailor a nice contract and hopefully he accepts.
Even though I don’t like Addison very much, I realize he has value, but I also believe the org drafted Felton to replace Addison.
Another favorable move affecting the WR group is that KOC has finally gone heavy, emphasizing the run, pass pro, and helping JJM thrive. Someone mentioned an Addison trade for the raiders TE2, I’d be all for it if they throw in a 3rd or future 2.
Bullazin wrote:
Everyone knows where I’m at on this one. They’ll offer Nailor a nice contract and hopefully he accepts.Even though I don’t like Addison very much, I realize he has value, but I also believe the org drafted Felton to replace Addison.
Another favorable move affecting the WR group is that KOC has finally gone heavy, emphasizing the run, pass pro, and helping JJM thrive. Someone mentioned an Addison trade for the raiders TE2, I’d be all for it if they throw in a 3rd or future 2.
Addison in Sin City?!
Yikes lol!
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Bullazin wrote:
Even though I don’t like Addison very much, I realize he has value, but I also believe the org drafted Felton to replace Addison.
Yaaaaa, sure. That was getting floated here back when they drafted him by some guy who was all heated up about and it hasn't been seen since.
Addison went in the first round for a reason, was an immediate contributor, and also happens to about the only draft pick Kwesi could hang his hat on when upper management comes demanding to know why the drafts are stinko.
Tai Felton is a 3rd round guy who is playing on special teams, and doesn't have anything like Addison's talent. It's a complete myth that he was drafted to replace Addison. If someone in the front office actually thought that, well, it's indicative of how awful their draft process really is. It means Addison happened probably just because KOC wanted him, not because Grigson, KAM or the scouts figured anything out.
comet52 wrote:
Yaaaaa, sure. That was getting floated here back when they drafted him by some guy who was all heated up about and it hasn't been seen since.Addison went in the first round for a reason, was an immediate contributor, and also happens to about the only draft pick Kwesi could hang his hat on when upper management comes demanding to know why the drafts are stinko.
Tai Felton is a 3rd round guy who is playing on special teams, and doesn't have anything like Addison's talent. It's a complete myth that he was drafted to replace Addison. If someone in the front office actually thought that, well, it's indicative of how awful their draft process really is. It means Addison happened probably just because KOC wanted him, not because Grigson, KAM or the scouts figured anything out.
Why do you think they drafted Felton? To play special teams? I don’t speak personally with leadership so I’m not sure, but Addison has stepped on his dick so many times it has Nike tread tattooed on it, and Nailor is up for a contract. Hedging the WR room was a reasonable call, but I don’t expect a professional eeyore to sign off on any positive takes.
And I don’t know what poster you are referring too, but I bet it’s connected to some dark conspiracy in your mind.
It only took 4 years for him to play like this... Oh, in a contract year. those first 2 years, he was constantly hurt or had a runny nose. How will he perform if he is given a big contract?
I would not sign him for many years.
People sleep peacably at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
Bullazin wrote:
Why do you think they drafted Felton? To play special teams? I don’t speak personally with leadership so I’m not sure, but Addison has stepped on his dick so many times it has Nike tread tattooed on it, and Nailor is up for a contract. Hedging the WR room was a reasonable call, but I don’t expect a professional eeyore to sign off on any positive takes.
And I don’t know what poster you are referring too, but I bet it’s connected to some dark conspiracy in your mind.
Well if you wanna be a dick about it, I don't see any reason why you're so special that calling me names qualifies as good posting here, so back at ya, dumbfuck. I don't remember the guy's name. He was some college fan of Felton who made a few posts.
And I'm really sorry to have keep busting the myth that low talent Tai Felton is some sort of replacement for Addison. He doesn't have that kind of talent. He's a wasted third round pick.
StickierBuns wrote:
Oh boy. Yeah, Felton was such a talent they just HAD to draft him and it was such a position of need for the team, lol. Of course he was drafted to replace Addison. That was the premise anyway. I know you love to convince yourself of the complete and utter ineptitude of the organization at all levels, but why this would be a horrible strategy escapes me.
Don't worry, chin up! You've got a whole offseason upcoming to grouse about all things Vikings! ;)
He doesn't have Addison's talent, it was a mistake. As for grousing about the Vikings, someone has to be a counterweight to your purple marshmallow bunnies and roses view of things. ;)
comet52 wrote:
And I'm really sorry to have keep busting the myth that low talent Tai Felton is some sort of replacement for Addison. He doesn't have that kind of talent. He's a wasted third round pick.
So the 102nd pick in last year’s draft doesn’t have the talent of one taken 23rd? Insightful. Nobody has a clue yet what we have in Tai Felton and it’s pretty silly for anyone to pretend he does.
MaroonBells wrote:
So the 102nd pick in last year’s draft doesn’t have the talent of one taken 23rd? Insightful. Nobody has a clue yet what we have in Tai Felton and it’s pretty silly for anyone to pretend he does.
As Jesse Jackson used to say, Keep Hope Alive!
Jordan Addison had 108 targets as a rookie in 2023. Great wide receiver talent is easy to get on the field as a rookie, easier than just about any other position imo. Tai Felton has 2 targets as a rookie...so far ;). And for some reason the team needed to trade too much draft capital for grandpa Adam Thielen so they could release him a few weeks later, rather than rely on future Addison replacement Tai Felton to fill in.
And for whoever was asking, the Tai Felton thread is here https://vikefans.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=20676&highlight=felton
and the poster who was very high on Tai was Bunsen82.
I recall the beat writers on a pod saying they weren't going to draft him until they verified at the combine that he could return kicks. Why you need that in round 3 when you have so many other needs, I don't know.
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