Vikings Free Agent Profile: Jalen Nailor finally emerged as a legitimate weapon in 2025, leaving a difficult decision in March

The most intriguing free agent on the Minnesota Vikings could see a hefty payday.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (1) makes a touchdown catch against Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (6) during the second half at AT&T Stadium.
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

After the retirement of fullback C.J. Ham, the Minnesota Vikings are set to have 20 free agents heading into the offseason. They are going to move on from multiple players and bring in new players to fill their spots. Along with that, they will be trying to bring back plenty of players who will hit free agency.

Ahead of free agency beginning, we will be taking a look at each free agent, breaking down what they did last season and whether or not they will return to Minnesota. Arguably the most successful player from the 2022 NFL Draft, Jalen Nailor is set to hit free agency, leaving a difficult decision for the Vikings.

Jalen Nailor

Position: Wide Receiver
Age for 2026 Season: 27
Incoming NFL Year: 5th
Previous AAV: $1.145 million
2026 Snap %: 65.3%

What Jalen Nailor did in 2025

The Vikings selcted Nailor in the sixth-round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he’s become the best piece from that class. He didn’t play a ton in his first two seasons with the Vikings, logging just 59 snaps as a rookie and 94 in 2023. His 2024 and 2025 seasons saw Nailor as the WR3 for the team, and he stepped up in that role quickly.

In those two seasons, Nailor showed impressive growth as a route runner, maximizing his speed to attack vertically. His stats over those two seasons are incredibly similar, which is to be expected with Nailor being the fourth or fifth option in the offense on a game-by-game basis.

  • 2024: 42 targets, 28 receptions, 414 yards, six touchdowns
  • 2025: 53 targets, 29 catches, 444 yards, four touchdowns

Jalen Nailor’s projection for 2026

Trying to figure out what a contract looks like for Nailor is a difficult task to predict. He is entering free agency without having ever been a featured target with the Vikings. What Nailor will provide is a high-upside option at WR2 with nuanced route-running skills and the juice to take the top off the defense.

He is ready to grow into a top-two role on an offense, but is he going to be successful at it long-term? That’s the bet that teams will be making by signing him to a large contract. He will be in demand, especially with teams that run the same offensive scheme that head coach Kevin O’Connell does. He is a more than capable blocker, which is a major aspect of playing in the scheme. Don’t be surprised if he gets a hefty contract early on.

Contract prediction: 3 years, $36 million, $20 million guaranteed

Vikings Free Agent Profiles

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