Don’t Expect the Vikings WR3 Battle To Be Over Soon
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings employ one of the best collections of skill players in the NFL. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison make for a lethal one-two at wide receiver, alongside T.J. Hutchinson at tight end and Aaron Jones at running back. There’s just one hole left, at WR3, where K.J. Osborn’s departure creates a question mark.
Last season, the Vikings ran heavy amounts of three wide receiver sets, lining up in 11 personnel 43% of the time. 11 is a staple of Kevin O’Connell’s offense, and the absence of Osborn shouldn’t change that. If it doesn’t, it makes whoever fills that WR3 role one of the biggest storylines for the Vikings this preseason. Who could be the last piece of the puzzle for this already explosive unit?
Names like Brandon Powell, Jalen Nailor, Trishton Jackson, and Trenton Scherfield are all ones that have been thrown around. But who comes on top, and when?
Powell entered training camp as the front-runner for the position, following his flashy season at WR4 in 2023. Powell is a small, but shifty receiver who makes his money in the slot. He can allow Jefferson and Addison to do their work on the outside while he uses his quickness to attack linebackers in the middle of the field.
Powell is most impressive against zone coverage, finding space in the intermediate range for quick gains, something that could be very useful for a young quarterback like J.J. McCarthy. Powell is also the best bet on third down amongst his competition. Along with this, his importance on special teams returning punts renders him a valuable piece to the team, which will earn him a few extra snaps on offense.
Nailor seems to be second in line for the position. He’s been turning heads again at training camp, with reports being that he’s been unstoppable in the red zone. On top of that, he has great deep-threat speed. This ability opens up the opportunity to let him play on the outside attacking up the field while Jefferson and/or Addison exploit mismatches in the slot or anywhere on the field. He’s struggled to find playing time the past few years, but a great preseason and finish to camp should warrant him some snaps in the regular season. From there, it’s very realistic he can take advantage and nabs the spot.
Neither Jackson nor Scherfield are likely to win the position, but are both interesting names with interesting qualities. Jackson has been a name Vikings fans have heard around training camp for seemingly forever. Yet again, he’s making noise at training camp, and an impressive preseason could land him on the 53-man roster, potentially allowing for some opportunity at the WR3 position.
New addition Scherfield hasn’t found much success in his career as a pass-catcher, but he has proven to be a great blocker. He plays with heart and can often be the guy who wants it most on the field. This quality is something that earns a guy some run under most coaches, so his name will remain in contention for that spot for that reason alone.
The job seems to be Powell’s to lose, but ultimately the battle will come down to whoever makes the least mistakes. The guy who doesn’t drop the ball, the guy who doesn’t commit unnecessary penalties, and the guy who can create the most out of nothing will be granted the job.
WR3 will almost certainly not be won or lost by Week 1, and maybe even by Week 4. A rotation of at least Powell and Nailor, with others perhaps getting some looks, is to be expected to start the season. The picture is only just beginning to come into focus, and it will take consistently good performance for any of these players to settle alongside the rest of the Vikings’ lethal weapons.
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