There’s a reason why people in Minnesota still remember Jarius Wright’s name: He felt like the perfect WR3.
Minnesota used a fourth-round pick on him in 2012. Washington took Kirk Cousins 16 picks ahead of him, and the New Orleans Saints took a man named Nick Toon four picks after him. There are no regrets about who the Vikings took him over, and WR3 is an excellent value for the 118th pick in the draft.
Wright had 224 receptions and 2,782 yards in six seasons. He was never Stefon Diggs or Adam Thielen, but he was a perfect complement to them. Every Diggs needs a Thielen to get open, but every quarterback needs a third option when teams cover both of them. Wright was always there, and that’s all he ever needed to be.
Jalen Nailor feels like he’s becoming the WR3 Minnesota hasn’t had since Wright signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2018.
Everyone would have accepted that role for Thielen as he entered his 30s, but he could still be a WR1 and left for Carolina in 2023 before returning this season. T.J. Hockenson kind of became Minnesota’s default WR3, but he’s a tight end. Nailor fits the role better than either player.
“I said it since Week 1, Speedy was going to show up one of these days,” J.J. McCarthy said after connecting with Nailor on five passes for 124 yards in Minnesota’s 27-19 loss on Sunday. “He’s somebody that just sticks to his process, does the little things right, does the dirty work, and doesn’t complain at all.”
Sounds like the perfect WR3.
Nailor picked up the Speedy nickname at Michigan State, and his 4.5 40 speed has translated to the NFL. It feels like a fitting nickname for the fourth-year player from Palmdale, Afroman’s hometown in Southern California. A man from the area where the legendary rapper once flew “high as hell” through in an ‘83 Cadillac Coupe DeVille should be able to beat most cornerbacks off the blocks.
After some crucial drops last season, Nailor has become more sure-handed this season. He’s also running more precise routes, earning McCarthy’s trust. Nailor has improved to the extent that he expects targets, even if he’s the third or fourth option in Minnesota’s offense.
“I feel like that’s my mentality every time I run a route, the ball’s coming my way,” he said. “I feel like, as a receiver, that has to be your mentality. Whenever I see the ball coming my way, I’m just trying to come down with it.”
He’s come a long way from the player who had three receptions for 29 yards three years ago.
Nailor reeled in a crucial third-down catch in Detroit. He followed it up with a 61-yard reception early against the Baltimore Ravens, then a crucial fourth-and-10 catch, and a highlight-reel grab in the end zone.
Jalen Nailor keeps the feet in on 4th down for the touchdown!
BALvsMIN on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/RmG2MmE4lY
— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025
“It’s just concentration. Keenan McCardell always tells me, just intention,” he said, referring to Minnesota’s receivers coach, a 16-year NFL vet. “[Keep] our eyes on the ball all the way through, and that showed there.”
Nailor’s breakout season has impressed Justin Jefferson.
“He’s not a guy that’s really getting the most targets or getting the most opportunities to make those types of catches,” Jefferson said after the Ravens game. “But when he does get those opportunities, he’s making the most of them. Having that type of player on our offense is something to feed off of.”
Nailor has 302 yards on 19 receptions this season, 112 yards shy of his career-high receiving-yard total from last season. He won’t put up Jefferson’s numbers or have Addison’s jitterbug quickness, but that’s not what the Vikings need from him.
Jalen Nailor just needs to be there, and he must expect to come down with the ball when McCarthy sends it his way.