Approaching the 2025 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings have seemingly had a quiet need at wide receiver.
Jordan Addison is entering the third year of his rookie contract but is facing a potential suspension from the NFL for a DUI charge in Los Angeles last summer.
It was the second moving violation by the Vikings receiver in as many seasons in the league -- but he's made it easy for fans to forget about it due to his performance. Addison has averaged 893 yards receiving and scored 19 touchdowns as a foundational piece to Minnesota's offense.
It's safe to say Addison's absence will be felt if he misses time.
However, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is not concerned and has high expectations for one receiver to step up next season.
At the NFL Owners Meetings last week, O'Connell said that he expects a "massive year" from third wide receiver Jalen Nailor, who O'Connell noted had filled in for Addison when he missed two games with an ankle injury last season.
"I think we basically went through that last year with Jordan [missing games]," O'Connell said, per ESPN. "We essentially, for two and a half games, didn't have him, and we were able to beat the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans with Jalen Nailor playing huge roles in those games."
Playing over 85% of snaps in those two games, Nailor caught six passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns. He finished the year with 414 yards receiving and six touchdowns, but struggled to consistently produce as the third receiver.
Nailor was held to one catch in eight games last season. A 2021 sixth-round pick, Nailor is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
There is still a sound argument to draft a receiver in the middle rounds of the draft to not only replace Nailor in the short term but potentially rise to replace Addison, whose contract expires after the 2026 season.
The surging wide receiver market makes a tough case to re-sign either receiver.
Addison's fifth-year option will be a minimum of $16 million a season and could jump to over $20 million if he makes the Pro Bowl next season. Nailor could also contend for a $10 million-a-year deal in free agency after Tutu Atwell did that this offseason.
The surplus value of a rookie-scale wide receiver, a position the Vikings have a strong history of drafting well at, is immense and a worthwhile venture for Minnesota again.
