The Vikings are losing another of their Justin Jefferson-era No. 3 wideouts. With Jefferson and Jordan Addison in place, Minnesota will see Jalen Nailor leave in free agency.
Nailor has fared much better on the open market than K.J. Osborn did, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting the four-year Viking agreed to a three-year, $35MM deal with the Raiders. Nailor secured $23MM guaranteed on this accord.
Commandeering the final spot on PFR’s top 50 free agents list, Nailor does not have a 500-yard receiving season on his resume. But a view around the league pointed to upside existing for the young slot receiver. Nailor, who turned 27 this month, will team with Tre Tucker on a Raiders roster that had traded its No. 1 wideout (Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers) in consecutive years.
The Raiders also did not see strong early returns from 2025 draftees Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton. Nailor’s contract will send him into Las Vegas’ starting lineup, which is likely to be fronted by No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. While Mendoza will have Brock Bowers in place as a lead target, Nailor represents an interesting option at receiver.
Nailor has differentiated himself from a pure slot skillset with impressive yards-per-catch figures (14.8, 15.3) over the past two seasons. He has undoubtedly benefited from playing with Jefferson, but per ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano, coaching staffs are high on the former sixth-round pick. The Raiders, who are set to win the Tyler Linderbaum market, are doing work to give Mendoza a better foundation than Geno Smith enjoyed last season.
The Vikings had not discussed an extension with Nailor as of December, and they have a $35MM-per-year Jefferson deal to go with a high-level T.J. Hockenson TE accord on their payroll. Addison can be kept through 2027 via the fifth-year option, and Minnesota added Tai Felton on Day 2 of last year’s draft.
Ooo nice pick
Nailor? I barely know ‘er.
Wait, that only works out loud.
It’s a lot of money, but maybe he’d look more obviously worthy of it if he’d had better quarterback play and wasn’t stuck behind one of the best one-two receiver tandems in football.
I like him, but this has Cedrick Wilson-Russell Gage flop potential.
Lmao budum tsss.
Gage was pretty solid for awhile
Not after his rookie deal though.
Interesting move by the Raiders. Basically a mid level signing for a guy who has upside but has been stuck behind two guys who he was never gonna supplant in the lineup.
You have to think they have more moves ahead at WR but this is a solid depth piece and potential #2.
But who’s their number 1 . I don’t hate it but a lot of money for a side piece. They have a few of those guys already.
You have to think they’re gonna draft one.
Yea I guess , not a lot out there right now to sign either
Love this dude! Have Nailor on 3 Dynasty Teams and he always balls out when given the snaps! WELCOME TO THE ORIGINAL SPORTS TEAM NAME MONIKER NATION (look it up) THE RAIDERRRRRR NATIONNNNNN!!