And now, the NFL trade deadline is just six days away. At 3-4, with a brutal matchup Sunday against the Detroit Lions on deck, it’s possible general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is in a selling mood early next week, in the final hours leading up to the 3 PM CT buzzer.

Jalen Nailor an intriguing trade chip for MN Vikings

That could be especially true if the MN Vikings deal from a position they have a lot of depth… like wide receiver. Adam Thielen’s been riding the bench since Jordan Addison’s return and Jalen Nailor’s been underutilized.

So, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert is wondering: While the Vikings may not be actively taking offers on him now, could they get a proposal on pending free agent Jalen Nailor — in the moments leading up to the trade deadline next week — that is just too good for them to pass up?

Wide receiver Jalen Nailor. He is a key part of the Vikings’ three-receiver sets and has played the fourth-highest percentage of snaps (74.1%) of any offensive player. But in the Vikings’ efforts to feed Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Nailor has been targeted only 26 times this season. (He has caught 13 of those throws for 162 yards and a touchdown.) The Vikings aren’t looking to trade Nailor, but they have depth behind him in veteran Adam Thielen. Nailor is also a pending free agent. With Jefferson set to count for $39 million against the 2026 cap, and Addison eligible for an extension this upcoming offseason, Nailor could move on next year anyway.

Kevin Seifert – ESPN

While it looked as though the Minnesota Vikings offense would be flush with playmakers in 2025, the passing game — which has been inefficient and mostly ineffective overall — has largely relied on Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, leaving Nailor, Thielen and even T.J. Hockenson to pick up the few scraps remaining.

In 17 games last season, Nailor caught 28 passes for 414 yards and six touchdowns. This season, through seven games, he has 13 receptions for 162 yards and a single score. He’s on track to best the 2024 mark, but he remains such an insignificant part of the game plan.

J.J. McCarthy ➡️ Jalen Nailor 🎯 pic.twitter.com/oVLu1HI8Yg

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) September 15, 2025

Whether the Vikings turn things around or not, cashing in on Nailor before losing him for nothing seems like a pretty good idea, given the little he offers to the offense right now. Thielen isn’t the same player he once was, but he’s still plenty capable of filling a WR3 role on this team.

Vikings trade deadline plans could hinge on Detroit

While the NFL is a beast when it comes to overall popularity, the league does not operate at the trade deadline anything like Major League Baseball or the National Basketball Association. Trades are often few and far between, and they are more more complicated to pull off.

Minnesota is a game below .500 at 3-4 heading into Week 9. They are 9.5 point underdogs against the 5-2 Lions. It would be a surprise to see J.J. McCarthy step back in at quarterback and immediately knock off one of the best teams in the league.

If the Vikings pull off an upset, they may be intrigued to add more win-now pieces. The most logical line of thinking says they should probably just let the dice fall where they may. At any rate, Kirk Cousins wanting out and coming back, would seem to significantly stretch the parameters of reality.

Thielen is locked and loaded for a prominent starting role. That was part of the reason Minnesota targeted a player that had familiarity with the system for. It sounds like he may actually be joined by Nailor as well.

Jalen Nailor looking probable for MN Vikings

Last season the Vikings used Jalen Nailor in the WR3 spot vacated by K.J. Osborn. He now enters the final year of his rookie contract and needs to produce. In order to produce he needs to be on the field. Fortunately, despite his hand surgery, Minnesota believes he will be Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.

The #Vikings are optimistic about wide receiver Jalen Nailor (hand) playing Week 1 vs. Chicago barring a setback, per sources. Minnesota envisions a key role for Nailor, especially with Jordan Addison out via suspension.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 31, 2025

Nailor had a procedure done in recent days. The fact that his hand was opened up and has time to heal prior to September 8 suggests a minimally invasive procedure. Minnesota is obviously going to have practices over the week leading up to their tilt against Chicago, and the assumption should be that Nailor must be active for some of them.

Last season, his third in the NFL, Nailor played 17 games for the Vikings. He drew seven starts and hauled in 28 receptions for 414 yards. Nailor did grab six touchdown catches, but also had a handful of untimely drops. The overall body of work left something to be desired, and he’ll need to take another step forward this season.

This was the most notable J.J. McCarthy throw from yesterday. Up and over. In the window only Jalen Nailor could catch it. Seeing him do this twice in three days was very encouraging. pic.twitter.com/f4onmwQVUb

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) July 29, 2025

If Nailor is ready to go he gives Minnesota a realistic trio of quality wideouts. With Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen on top the depth chart, Nailor assumes the same role he played last year. He’ll have a three-game runway to show how involved he should be in the offense, and that’s the opportunity he should be focused on.

Related: MN Vikings Wide Receiver Went Under the Knife

Once Addison returns, Minnesota will arguably employ the top trio at the wideout position across the league. Their depth is a problem if Nailor’s injury lingers, or if his level of effectiveness from last season remains constant. If he can elevate his play though, J.J. McCarthy has to feel plenty supported by his top four wideout options.

Minnesota has eight days to dial in their gameplan against the Bears. Monday Night Football at Soldier Field looms as the 2025 NFL regular season kicks off.

The addition of Thielen became necessary thanks to a Jordan Addison suspension that will cost him the first three games of 2025. Jalen Nailor, who was slotted to operate as WR3bprior to the Thielen trade, has a hand/wrist injury that has his status for week one up in the air.

Jalen Nailor has surgery ahead of Minnesota Vikings season

Nailor suffered his injury during joint practices against the New England Patriots. On Tuesday, it was revealed that there’s more to Jalen’s malady than what had previously been disclosed. According to Darren “Doogie” Wolfson on SKOR North’s Purple Daily, the 3rd year WR out of Michigan State had surgery on his injured hand.

“Did Jalen Nailor undergo surgery on the left hand? I can tell you, there was a procedure done with the idea to be back for Week 1. I think, when the injury report comes out (Saturday September 6th) two days prior to the Monday night opener…I would imagine Jalen Nailor is listed as questionable.

Now, if he can ramp things up in practice a day or two prior, maybe probable. I’m just thinking wide receiver, hand, that’s a tricky injury. The idea is, when you undergo a procedure to get back sooner, if he just lets it heal, he absolutely misses Week 1. There is this idea that Nailor is doing well, right now, with the hope to play Week 1 in Chicago.”

Darren Wolfson – Purple Daily

Whether Nailor is ready to rock for the regular season or not, this procedure sure be worrisome. He’s already had issues with drops throughout his career, and I can’t imagine a hand injury, or the subsequent surgery, will improve that skill.

Nonetheless, Wolfson suggest that Nailor could still ready for Week 1, and the Vikings insist that the surgery didn’t slow his recovery timeline. Instead, they believe it made his return more expedited. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, though, is not experiencing the same kind of optimism.

Truly sounds like WR Jalen Nailor is a toss-up to play week 1.@PAOnTheMic asks @alec_lewis if he had any Jalen Nailor steam. Lewis’ response:

“I’m not totally sure one way or another. I wouldn’t go strong on it one way or another from what I’ve heard”.

(Via: @AlecLewisShow) pic.twitter.com/fWVPiUvtiw

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) August 27, 2025

“What they did not plan for is Jalen Nailor jamming his left hand in the second day of joint practices. Now, you ask, will Jalen be back for the first game? To me, I’m not totally sure one way or another. I wouldn’t go strong on it one way or another from what I’ve heard. If you don’t have him for Week 1, it places even more importance on the need for additional depth in the spot.”

Alec Lewis

This is the final year of Nailor’s rookie contract, and he’s only played 38 games during the first three years largely due to time missed because of injury. Operating as a starter for the first time last season, he recorded just 28 receptions for 414 yards.

MN Vikings need more than just Jalen Nailor

Minnesota brought in Thielen because of the depth lacking at the wide receiver position. That addresses things at the top, but it doesn’t really solve the entire problem. Both Tim Jones and Myles Price are still on the 53-man roster with avenues towards a level of realistic playing time.

Related: MN Vikings Finally Complete Adam Thielen Trade… and it Wasn’t Cheap

On Tuesday’s roster cutdown day, the Washington Commanders parted ways with K.J. Osborn. Minnesota knows him well too, and he was more productive in the same role than Nailor has been. Injury or not, that seems like a pretty straightforward upgrade if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wants to make it.

We’ll have to see how Nailor returns from the injury and surgical procedure. It wouldn’t be a shock if he leaves something to be desired though. Minnesota kicks off the regular season on September 8th on Monday Night Football.

This offseason, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did most of his heavy lifting in the Vikings’ trenches, overhauling both the offensive and defensive lines, leaving them with arguably the best supporting cast and coaching staff in the league for a young QB like JJ McCarthy.

You wouldn’t think wide receiver would be a position of need for a team that employs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but life isn’t lived in a vacuum. Justin Jefferson has sat out the last three-plus weeks of training camp, nursing a hamstring injury.

There’s been little concern that Jefferson will miss non-exhibition games, and there have been some reports of late that his return to practice was imminent. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for rising young WR2, Jordan Addison, whose three-game suspension will begin at the start of the regular season.

Justin Jefferson returns to practice for Minnesota Vikings

Oh, and WR3 Jalen Nailor recently hurt himself in worrisome fashion during last week’s joint practices vs the New England Patriots, leaving his status for week one up in the air too. Thankfully, Kevin O’Connell provided significant updates regarding Jefferson and others in the WR room. As expected, the Justin update was good news.

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell says WR Justin Jefferson will begin to take part in practice. And he’ll be ramping up from here.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 18, 2025

Justin Jefferson will begin to take part in practice this week pic.twitter.com/9vxHX0U3mv

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 18, 2025

For the past couple of weeks Jefferson has been seen only smiling and jogging around the practice field as he goes through treatment for his injured hamstring. With a full week before the end of the preseason and exactly three weeks until the Bears game, Jefferson has plenty of time to ramp up.

There’s no reason to believe that ramp-up will include any playing time against the Titans. Healthy or not, there’s not enough to gain by putting the best wide receiver in the sport in harm’s way for a meaningless game. The return to practice is what’s important.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Eyeing Potential Change on Special Teams

Jefferson played in just 10 games two seasons ago after suffering a hamstring injury. Last year he was healthy and totaled 1,533 yards across 17 games. He is going to be the top target for new quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and the pair can continue working on their chemistry with him back on the field.

Grim news for MN Vikings Jalen Nailor

In part thanks to Jefferson and Nailor’s injuries, Jordan Addison’s suspension — stemming from a “wet reckless” alcohol-related driving arrest last year — has already proven to be a big hindrance for the Minnesota Vikings offense, and it hasn’t even started yet. Unfortunately, KOC didn’t bring a lot of good news, when it comes to Nailor’s injury.

Jalen Nailor (hand) is week-to-week, per Kevin O’Connell. Trying to determine best course of action for his return. O’Connell wouldn’t say if surgery is a possibility.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 18, 2025

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell provides an update on @jalennailor's status pic.twitter.com/qnZuU7vfHg

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 18, 2025

Week-to-week is not an ideal designation, and neither is the possibility of surgery. Jalen Nailor operated as the third wide receiver last season after K.J. Osborn departed in free agency. The results were largely mixed, and him serving as WR2 with Addison out already seemed problematic.

Now facing the possibility of at least a notable amount of missed time, the Vikings are backed into a corner. Adofo-Mensah must go find another wide receiver, and two of them isn’t unrealistic either.

Amari Cooper is the top name left in free agency, but Gabriel Davis and familiar face Brandon Powell are there too. No matter what, acting sooner rather than later, while giving the player time to develop chemistry with McCarthy, is imperative.

Josh Metellus back for MN Vikings too

Minnesota had multiple injury scares during their joint practices with the New England Patriots last week. Nailor and Josh Metellus were among the most notable of them. While Nailor appears down for a while, the do-it-all safety is already back.

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell says Josh Metellus is going to work back in today. Avoided anything major from play Thursday in joint practices.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 18, 2025

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell on @NoExcuses_23's status pic.twitter.com/pQYNWwOg08

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 18, 2025

Minnesota recently handed Metellus a shiny new contract and the Swiss Army Knife has earned every bit of it. He has played in all 17 games each of the past three seasons and lines up all over the place.

Related: Former Vikings QB Closing in on Starting Role

Last year Metellus racked up 103 tackles with two behind the line of scrimmage. He picked off a pair of passes, which was a new single-season career high. Metellus also forced a fumble and had six quarterback hits. He is an absolute menace all over the field.

With Cam Bynum having departed for the Indianapolis Colts, and Theo Jackson taking his traditional safety role, Metellus could be relied on more than ever.

While the Vikings are high on Felton eventually developing into a contributor, he still has a lot of work to do before then. With Addison’s three game suspension now official, Jalen Nailor is set to take over WR2 duties opposite Justin Jefferson, until his teammate is eligible to return. At least, that was the plan…

Jalen Nailor hand injury worrisome for Minnesota Vikings

Until Thursday, when Nailor suffered a hand injury during the second of two joint practice sessions against the New England Patriots. According to SKOR North’s Darren Wolfson, there is “definite concern” regarding the 26-year-old former 6th round pick.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell on Josh Metellus and Jalen Nailor pic.twitter.com/CIoIR3qDBc

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 14, 2025

Nailor’s injury exacerbates an already thin Minnesota Vikings wide receiver room, after free agent signee, Rondale Moore — who they had been hoping would help fill in during Addison’s suspension — blew out his knee during his first preseason snap as a Viking, and since has been ruled out for the year.

If Nailor has any chance of missing regular season games, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah — who was likely monitoring and checking in on external WR options already — will begin seriously shopping for pass-catching help.

Unfortunately, it’s getting late in the training camp process to add a wideout capable of digesting O’Connell’s offense before the Vikings’ Monday Night Football opener in Chicago, against the Bears, on September 8.

Such logic would suggest Kwesi & Co will be on the hunt for someone who’s already worked and thrived in O’Connell’s system, or at least an offense that’s extremely similar.

Should the Minnesota Vikings Sign Odell Beckham Jr?

That leads us to 32-year-old one-time superstar, Odell Beckham Jr. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Beckham has “drawn interest” from several organizations, though he has yet to find a home for the upcoming 2025 season.

One of those teams has to be the Minnesota Vikings, right? Not only did OBJ win a Super Bowl in Los Angeles with Kevin O’Connell, but he and Justin Jefferson are fellow LSU alums too.

In fact, when Beckham Jr got in trouble for doling out $100 dollar bills to LSU players following their 2020 National Championship victory, Jefferson was first in line. Funny how circumstances change. Now, Justin can help get Odell paid. The two are believed to be good friends.

OBJ handing wads of cash to LSU players on the field after the National Championship pic.twitter.com/QVmebrjpPy

— Brody Logan (@BrodyLogan) January 14, 2020

Related: 4 Wide Receivers the Vikings Should Consider Acquiring

There’s little doubt that OBJ is far beyond his prime, but the Vikings don’t need him to be prime OBJ, in order to give them what they need, which at this point, is competence.

If he can be a complementary threat, who can get open in zone and single coverage, that will be enough to keep defenses from shading too heavily toward Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson.

Beckham’s name has far outweighed his game, since tearing his ACL during Super Bowl LVI. Earlier that 2021 season, O’Connell’s last in LA, OBJ joined the Rams via midseason trade from Cleveland. He made a near immediate impact, especially on their playoff run, catching 21 passes on 26 targets for 288 yards and two touchdowns.

I’ll never forget when OBJ was having the game of his life in the Super Bowl before tearing his ACL. pic.twitter.com/CKeuV1pFdt

— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) March 20, 2024

MN Vikings Also Monitoring Josh Metellus Injury

Jalen Nailor isn’t the only Minnesota Vikings player who got banged up during Thursday’s practice. Vikings do-it-all defender Josh Metellus also injured his shoulder.

Though, Metellus did pause and sign autographs for fans following practice. Coach Kevin O’Connell also didn’t seem too concerned about the status of his versatile starting safety either.

Related: Voice of Vikings Worried About Recent 1st Round Pick

Yet, we’ll have to wait to learn more about the status of Nailor and Metellus when the Vikings’ medical team has more time to properly assess the severity of their injuries. We should know more about their status by tomorrow, certainly in time for the Vikings’ second preseason game on Saturday.

Beyond just the preseason, Minnesota will be without starting wide receiver Jordan Addison for the first three games of the year. Justin Jefferson is working his way back, but currently nursing a hamstring injury as well.

The success of McCarthy’s first season under center will largely be reflective of those around him. Kevin O’Connell may need to consider getting him some additional wide receiver help.

Multiple wide receivers sidelined for Minnesota Vikings

With the preseason opener nearly upon them, the MN Vikings had a lighter practice session on Thursday. Even with it not being full go, the Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer pointed out just how many wide receivers were on the sidelines.

Jefferson missed a 10th consecutive practice because of a left hamstring strain suffered July 24. Darrisaw has been rotating in and out while recovering from last year’s knee injury.

Receiver Rondale Moore did not practice, but is expected to play against the Texans. The Vikings were thin at receiver on Thursday without Jefferson or Moore, and with receiver Jalen Nailor in a red, no-contact jersey while dealing with an undisclosed issue apparently suffered on Wednesday.

Star Tribune

We have known about Jefferson’s injury for some time. Moore and Nailor being unavailable is new. While it sounds like neither will be long term issues, the lack of availability is alarming.

The cast of characters for McCarthy could quickly be nameless if Moore or Nailor were to miss real reps. Addison is already off the table, and that leaves names like draft pick Tai Felton, Dontae Fleming, Myles Price, Robert Lewis, Lucky Jackson, Thayer Thomas, Jeshaun Jones, and Silas Bolden.

That group shouldn’t instill much fear into an opposing secondary even if Justin Jefferson is lined up on the opposite side of the field. Nailor is coming into a contract year, and he has grips on the WR3 role, but that may be expecting to much.

Related: 4 Wide Receivers the Vikings Should Consider Acquiring

Even disregarding Addison’s suspension, and the injuries piling up, it could behoove Minnesota to look at alternative options. The next goal has to be getting these guys healthy, back on the field, and keeping them there.

J.J. McCarthy is now under center, protected by what appears to be the best offensive line this team has had in years, if not decades. The defensive front has also been reconstructed, and is now being touted as the best in football by some pundits.

Then, there is wide receiver, where Jalen Nailor has been trying to earn the job for the past two seasons, after K.J. Osborn held it down before him. So far, the results have been mediocre. And now, there is a new crop of pass catchers in camp, which has many surmising a drop in usage for Nailor.

Jalen Nailor is locked in as WR3 for Minnesota Vikings

Last year Jalen Nailor played 17 games (with seven starts) as the third wide receiver. He hauled in 28 passes for 414 yards and six touchdowns. With Jordan Addison staring down the barrel of what could be a three-game suspension, the Minnesota Vikings need more out of their third wideout in 2025.

But if you think newcomers like Rondale Moore, Tai Felton or Silas Bolden have the inside track to take Jalen Nailor’s job, think again.

SKOR North’s Phil Mackey, Judd Zulgad and Darren Wolfson have all been at training camp this week, keeping an eye on the early practice reps of these wide receivers. One thing standing out early is just how far ahead Nailor is than the rest of his WR3 “competition”.

“I don’t think it’s close. That being said, I’m uber excited about Tai Felton’s future. Right now, to me it’s not much of a battle. Jalen Nailor is clear-cut wide receiver three. I spoke with him also, post practice. It was brief. I was curious about his number change, 83 to 1, and just how big of year this is. Heck, he could have an impact on special teams. He’s got some return capability. Yes, there hasn’t been extension dialogue.

Darren Wolfson – Purple Daily

This is a big year for Nailor. As a sixth round pick, this is the final year of his rookie contract. Like Patrick Jones II did this offseason, it’s a perfect opportunity for Nailor to cash in on the open market. As Phil Mackey noted earlier in the Purple Daily segment, that would be a great thing for Minnesota if he can factor into the compensation pick equation.

Here’s some J.J. McCarthy to Jalen Nailor pic.twitter.com/q6iK9Y1Q9n

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) July 23, 2025

Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are both high caliber options for the Minnesota Vikings. The team knows it. J.J. McCarthy knows it. The opposition knows it. That’s why someone like Nailor is such an integral part of the offense. If he can establish himself as another reliable option, he’d pair nicely with T.J. Hockenson as additional reads.

There is room for Nailor to grow from both a pass catching and route running perspective. He showed a need to develop further at times last year, and the more he can erase that feeling the better off the roster will be.

What to make of the MN Vikings other wideouts

Rondale Moore is probably the closest competition Nailor will have for his WR3 duties early on this year. The 25-year-old was injured last year, but has the same experience in the NFL that Nailor does. He was signed as a free agent this offseason and brings 39 games (23 starts) of exposure under his belt. Moore has just three career receiving touchdowns, but worked as one of Kyler Murray’s consistent targets in Arizona.

Moore is still more than likely to work on special teams in the return game. Rookie wide receivers often take time to acclimate at the highest level. It’s unlikely that Maryland product Tai Felton hits the ground running right away. His future development is something to be excited about, as Wolfson notes, however.

Related: 3 Underrated MN Vikings to Watch at Training Camp

Ultimately the Minnesota Vikings would like to see Jalen Nailor take another step forward this season. It’s plausible that his role expands with a potential suspension coming for Jordan Addison.

There will be opportunity to produce behind him, but Kevin O’Connell needs Nailor to be a reliable and consistent option for his new signal caller.

However, by the time the weekend was done, the Vikings emerged with five new draftees, instead of the expected four. They even swung a trade for a new backup quarterback. After it all, who are the Vikings’ three biggest winners and losers from the NFL Draft?

Related: 2025 Minnesota Vikings Draft Class is Complete

2025 Minnesota Vikings Draft Day Loser: Blake Brandel

The biggest loser from the Vikings’ draft class is clearly Blake Brandel. Before the draft kicked off, the former sixth-round pick was in line to reclaim his role as the starting left guard. Now? After selecting Donovan Jackson with the 24th overall pick, Brandel is expected to return to a backup role in 2025.

That doesn’t mean he won’t or can’t make an impact on the upcoming season. Not only can he go back to the role he thrived in, which is playing swing OL whenever called upon, but the Minnesota Vikings will need him to push Jackson in camp.

Related: NFL Draft Experts Drool Over New MN Viking, Donovan Jackson

And at the end of the day, there’s no guarantee Donovan Jackson is NFL-ready, right from the get-go. As a first-round pick, that may be the expectation. But expectations do not always align with reality. It won’t take long for the Vikings to realize what they have in their new left guard.

When that time comes, Brandel’s future role in purple will be more clear. Without a doubt, however, it’s clear that Brandel’s job is considerably more in jeopardy today than it was on Thursday afternoon.

Loser: Brett Rypien

Like Brandel, Brett Rypien was set for a more featured role this season, as J.J. McCarthy’s backup quarterback. That’s an upgrade from last season when he became the QB3 as rosters were being finalized. Yet, once again, Rypien is set to become the team’s No. 3 quarterback following the trade for Sam Howell.

While Rypien, 28, may be disappointed in his QB3 role, we all knew the Vikings were going to add another quarterback before the season started. Here’s the thing, though… in a matter of minutes on Saturday, Rypien may have dropped from QB2, all the way down to QB4.

The Minnesota Vikings didn’t just add one rookie quarterback this weekend, they also made former Minnesota Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer a priority undrafted free agent signing, even guaranteeing him $250,000 to seal the deal.

Related: Max Brosmer is Staying in Minnesota

Vikings fans out there who double as Gopher football fans, know… Max Brosmer is not going to give up his purple jersey without a fight. So with all the young talent in the Vikings new QB room, it’s very plausible Rypien could once again find himself on the outside looking in, when final training camp cuts are made, come August.

Loser: Jalen Nailor

Jalen Nailor is headed into the final year of his contract, and the Vikings may not be able to afford a second contract for the speedster. Yet, by adding Tai Felton, the Vikings get a new potential long-term WR3, and like Nailor, he’s quick.

Felton clocked a 4.37 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and the Vikings believe he can be their next playmaker who helps take attention away from Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. The Vikings also added five undrafted free agent receivers, showing how eager they are to find another pass-catcher who can contribute on a weekly basis.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Swing Trade and Draft New Wide Receiver

2025 MN Vikings Draft Day Winner: Jordan Mason

When the offseason kicked off, running back was listed as one of the Minnesota Vikings’ biggest needs. Re-signing Aaron Jones and trading for Jordan Mason — who went for 789 rushing yards (3 TD) and 164 receiving yards with the Niners last season — has KOC & Co feeling comfortable with their backfield entering the 2025 season.

But that wasn’t clear heading into the draft. Given their interest in running backs throughout the scouting process, RB still felt like a position the Vikings would target with one of their four draft picks, even if they waited until the later rounds. At the end of the day, this draft class just had too much running back talent to just pass up, right?

Related: Minnesota Vikings Have Big Plans for Jordan Mason

Then, seven rounds went by without the Vikings selecting anyone with an “RB” in front of their name. Now, barring any unforeseen additions between now and week one, it appears this team’s backfield work in 2025 will be divvied up between mostly Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, with some Ty Chandler sprinkled in.

With Jones’ now 30, Mason will get every opportunity to prove he can be a future starter.

Winner: Christian Darrisaw

How is Christian Darrisaw a winner? No one was ever coming for the former first-round pick’s starting spot. However, the Minnesota Vikings hope his life at left tackle just got a whole lot easier, with the addition of No. 24 overall, Donovan Jackson, who’s expected to slot in right next to Darrisaw at left guard.

Since he took over as the starter in 2021, Darrisaw has dealt with a turnstile of bad to mediocre guards to help him protect the left side of the MN Vikings offensive line. If Jackson is what the Vikings believe, he should be able to take the starting left guard spot away from the aforementioned Blake Brandel pretty quickly.

Related: Christian Darrisaw Blown Away by How Good Dallas Turner is Already

As long as the next three months play out on the practice and preseason fields, like they do right now on paper, then Christian Darrisaw’s life just got a whole lot easier, and that’s before you factor in the improvement at center (Ryan Kelly) and right guard (Will Fries).

Ideally, not only will Darrisaw be able to focus on sealing the edge — without having to worry as much about making sure Brandel is handling his assignment too — but he can also take his time getting healthy, after season-ending knee surgery in 2024.

If he can’t return immediately in 2025, Jackson played an impressive left tackle last season at Ohio State. And when he does return, he won’t be pulling double duty (hopefully).

Winner: J.J. McCarthy

There’s no bigger winner in the NFL Draft than J.J. McCarthy, who now has an even more reinforced offensive line, plus a new weapon to work with thanks to the Vikings’ first two picks.

Instead of trying to find more pieces for Brian Flores’ defense, the Vikings opted to do everything in their power to make sure their year-old QB had everything he needed to succeed in his first season as a starter.

Related: All 20 Minnesota Vikings Undrafted Free Agents

Instead of picking a running back, receiver, or tight end first, the Vikings made a move that they hope will give McCarthy more time to make his reads while protecting him in the pocket.

Ultimately, the Vikings may have very well made the best decision to help their young leader thrive, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise considering how QB-friendly Kevin O’Connell’s system has become.

Brian Flores needs the best version of the Minnesota Vikings defense

Each of the past two weeks the Minnesota Vikings have won games by putting together total team efforts. Sam Darnold has had the offense clicking, and Brian Flores has seen his defense generate a league-leading amount of sacks. Against the Texans, Flores may need to take a more calculated approach according to ESPN’s Ben Solak.

“Here’s the bad news: You shouldn’t blitz C.J. Stroud. Typically, you should blitz rookie quarterbacks — and trust me, defenses have tried. But the young passer demonstrated a shocking immunity to blitzes since entering the league last year. Look at Stroud’s numbers since the start of last season when blitzed relative to his general passing numbers; the blitz hardly affected his production.”

Ben Solak on defending C.J. Stroud (ESPN)

C.J. Stroud vs Blitz/Pressure

It’s not great that pressure is something Stroud actually appears to thrive in. A positive reality is that Minnesota didn’t need to use that strategy against Daniel Jones in Week 1. Flores rarely sent pressure and Minnesota still picked up five sacks. The Texans have significantly more offense weapons to keep track of, so the secondary must hold strong while Stroud surveys the field.

Related: Watch for Texans to Shadow Vikings Justin Jefferson with Former LSU Teammate

Edge rusher Dallas Turner looks to be out for Minnesota on Sunday. That means Pat Jones stepping up again alongside Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel would be more than welcomed. Getting home with a four-man rush as the defense locks down offensive weapons is a narrative to watch.

Jalen Nailor opens up the Vikings passing attack for Justin Jefferson

It seems likely that Jordan Addison will miss his second-straight game with an ankle injury. That means Jalen Nailor again operates as the second wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings. Justin Jefferson is expected to be shadowed by Derek Stingley Jr. He often faces double teams, but will need other Vikings options to draw away coverage.

Future Vikings opponents, never assume Jalen Nailor is blocking pic.twitter.com/DERuhDLGZF

— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) September 16, 2024

Jefferson turned four receptions into 133 yards during Week 2 because of his 97 yard scamper. If Nailor can draw additional coverage and continue to be a trusted outlet for Darnold, then the field opens up. Last week Nailor caught three of four targets for 54 yards and a touchdown. The Vikings receiving corps gets thin quick, and the tight end position is down to just two players as well.

The TD bomb from #Vikings Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson is the play everyone will remember.

But this low-key WAS the play of the game by Darnold. A cold-blooded throw to Jalen Nailor on 3rd and 8 late in the game to set up the game clinching FG.

Thrown well before Nailor even… pic.twitter.com/PMQihJTzTC

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) September 16, 2024

Nailor looks to be a linchpin in an offensive game plan that will need to produce its own opportunities. The more the passing game can spark the rushing attack, the better. The more that Nailor can draw coverage and execute on opportunities, the better.

Related: Vikings Preparing Jalen Nailor for Bigger Role

Kevin O’Connell drew up enough plays to dominate offensively without Addison in Week 2. He will be tasked with doing the same thing again in Week 3.

Minnesota Vikings must control the ground game

Last week the Vikings got somewhat of a running back reprieve when it was announced that Christian McCaffrey wasn’t available. Jordan Mason stepped in and ripped off 100 yards on 20 carries. This week it appears that Cam Akers will start in the place of Joe Mixon. A backup ball carrier can’t beat Minnesota.

Cam Akers is looking fluid here. What a signing for Houston. #NFL pic.twitter.com/rMeeLkFKRK

— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhifer) September 16, 2024

Akers led the Texans backfield on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. He is coming off an Achilles injury suffered while playing with the Vikings, and turned in 32 yards on seven carries. Houston has a boatload of options at the wide receiver position. The more predictable it is that Stroud will continue to drop back, the better. Last weekend the Texans had their quarterback throw the ball 36 times. The ground game was held to just 75 yards.

If Minnesota can continue to lineup and know that Stroud will be airing it out, they have a leg up on defense. Pressure won’t be the most straightforward answer as mentioned above, but those in the box can look to help out the secondary. Blake Cashman and the linebacker corps should find themselves in line to make a significant impact on Sunday. They’ll need someone to step up as well with Ivan Pace Jr. on the sidelines.

Related: Familiar Running Back in Line to Start for Texans vs Minnesota Vikings

An ideal outcome for the Vikings defensively means turning the Texans into a one-dimensional offense. Flores will match wits with DeMeco Ryans, and his unit can make a significant statement with a victory.

Jordan Addison on the shelf for the Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings broke in new quarterback Sam Darnold against the New York Giants. He looked incredible against the lackluster opponent. He utilized a multitude of weapons, and Jordan Addison was among them. Unfortunately for Darnold, Addison was available for only a portion of the game after suffering another ankle injury. His three catches for 35 yards was where the day ended.

Ooh, not ideal. Jordan Addison getting his leg/ankle rolled up on during a tackle.

He’s been ruled out of the remainder of the game: pic.twitter.com/2gFLZcSv83

— Ben Sig 🚬 (@sig_50) September 8, 2024

There was uncertainty regarding the severity of Addison’s newest injury. The Vikings weren’t ready to make any determinations on Sunday, and how the wide receiver room would change remained unknown. With practice ramping up in anticipation of the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Addison is tracking towards being unavailable.

Sounds like WR Jordan Addison (ankle) won't practice today, according to coach Kevin O'Connell.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 11, 2024

Last season the Minnesota Vikings were without the services of Justin Jefferson when San Francisco came to town. He had injured his hamstring and Kirk Cousins was without the superstar wide receiver. Addison filled the void by putting up 123 yards on seven catches. The rookie wide receiver also found the end zone twice.

Related: George Kittle Spills Beans on Christian McCaffrey’s Injury Status vs Vikings

This time around Minnesota will need another wide receiver to step up for the offense.

Jalen Nailor breakout game incoming for Minnesota Vikings?

With Jordan Addison trending towards inactivity on Sunday, the stage couldn’t be more set for Jalen Nailor to break out. Similar to what Addison did with Justin Jefferson unavailable last season, Nailor can put the league on notice. Jefferson will draw the focus of San Francisco’s defense in Week 2. That means the former Michigan State product should have plenty of opportunity.

Sam Darnold tosses his 2nd TD of the day to Jalen Nailor!

📺: #MINvsNYG on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/DD9V7zGuL6

— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024

In Week 1 Jalen Nailor was targeted just one time by Sam Darnold. That one pass resulted in a 21-yard touchdown reception and had the Vikings offense cruising. Minnesota stuck by Nailor this offseason, and their belief in him kept them from grabbing a more established wide receiver.

Should Addison be out of the lineup on Sunday, Nailor would elevate to WR2. Brandon Powell then likely slots in as the third wide receiver, and the tandem will work to keep Justin Jefferson open. Nailor has shown plenty ability to impress over his brief professional career. The problem for him has been staying healthy. Now with an opportunity, and health on his side, the breakout game helping Minnesota go 2-0 would be welcomed.

Related: 4 Bold Predictions for Minnesota Vikings’ Week 2 Matchup vs 49ers

We’ll find out on Sunday if Jalen Nailor is up to the challenge, but he could put the league on notice just like his teammate did a year ago.