The wide receiver should have a considerable market value.
While Minnesota will receive calls inquiring about the availability of Justin Jefferson, they should hang up the phone immediately. Jordan Addison has a fifth-year option that will be exercised, keeping him in a Vikings uniform.
What about Jalen Nailor? The sixth-round pick from 2022 carved out a role during Jefferson and Addison's absences and has ten touchdowns in his career.
Ben Goessling of the Access Vikings podcast believes Nailor may be in line for a payday.
“Yeah, there’s a chance to get a payday there for a guy that was a sixth-round pick,” Goessling said on the “Access Vikings” podcast. “The fact that, if he’s saying, ‘Yeah, we’re going to see how it plays out,’ it’s a nice way of saying, ‘Yeah, I expect to be on the market, and I’m gonna get paid if I can,’ I mean, you know, this is your shot to do that. So, I don’t think that’s an unreasonable approach to this at all.”
In 2024, K.J. Osborn departed from Minnesota with a contract worth nearly five million per year. Spotrac believes Nailor will receive a similar deal on the open market.
If Nailor departs, the Vikings will look to replace him with a receiver in the draft, and Garrett Burroughs of Vikings Wire has just the player in mind.
Round Three, Pick 97: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
For my money, one of the three best wide receivers in this class somehow falls to round three, and we will capitalize on it. Zachariah Branch is one of the fastest players in this class and will immediately bring a change of pace to this offense. With the lack of production and brutal drops from Jordan Addison, Branch could easily take over the WR2 spot on the depth chart in year one.
Dame Parson of Locked on NFL Draft and Bleacher Report calls Branch "lightning in a bottle" and a dangerous playmaker in space.
Parson highlights how Branch wins and what his strengths are:
- Electric playmaker in space with the football. Branch is a dynamic mover who puts defenders in conflict in the open field. His agility and elusiveness make it difficult for defenders to bring him down in one-on-one situations.
- His speed and acceleration are dangerous and emphasize pursuit angles for defenders. At top speed, Branch can outrun defenders and beat their angles, creating big plays after the catch.
- Usage versatility is one of the best parts of his skill set. The USC transfer can be infused into the offensive game plan in multiple ways: in the backfield as an RB, in the slot, in bunch sets, and in stacked alignments. He has taken handoffs from the backfield, and those reps looked natural.
- Branch transitions from receiver to runner quickly. He shows good contact balance, along with his athletic ability, to stay upright for extra yardage.
- Georgia's explosive weapon adds special teams value. He has two return touchdowns in his career. Branch's elusiveness and explosiveness make him a dangerous return specialist.
If Nailor walks in free agency, the Vikings have plenty of options in the draft to replace him and add to the core of Jefferson and Addison.