Jalen Nailor
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 14: Jalen Nailor #1 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a first down against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter in the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders made a bunch of high-profile moves during the first day of free agency, but one that hasn’t received much love is the signing of former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor, until now.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Las Vegas handed the 27-year-old former 2022 sixth-round pick a three-year, $35M deal including $23 million guaranteed.
While he’s not coming to the Raiders to be an alpha wideout, Nailor has been productive the last two seasons in Minnesota, racking up 57 catches for 858 yards and 10 touchdowns despite being in the shadows of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Now that he’ll have a bigger role in Las Vegas, NFL Network’s Cynthia Frelund was quick to give massive praise for the Raiders’ acquisition of Nailor.
Raiders Receive Major Praise for Signing Jalen Nailor
Frelund highlighted the Raiders’ signing Nailor as a move people shouldn’t sleep on.
“Maxx Crosby’s former team got a number of players but Jalen Nailor could be a guy who really adds a lot of speed to this team. …When you look at the opportunity to stretch the field, we know they have things close to the line of scrimmage sort of figured out with their tight end situation and their running backs. But now you add a guy who really stretches the field gives probably Fernando Mendoza the opportunity too have a little more space to work with too. I think this could make a big impact very, very quickly especially with a retooled O line.”
Nailor is going to be a huge piece on the Raiders’ offense despite not being a true alpha wide receiver, and he could very well be Mendoza’s security blanket in Year 1, which is crazy to say considering Brock Bowers is on the team.
Daniel Popper of The Athletic had this to say about the Raiders signing Nailor:
“Nailor is a deep-ball specialist. He lined up in the slot on 50 percent of snaps last year but also played on the ball and had some success against press coverage. In Minnesota, he played behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but he’ll have a chance at an expanded role with the Raiders and can even become a No. 2 option after tight end Brock Bowers.”
ESPN also had this to say about Nailor, who was their No. 55-rated free agent:
“Nailor is more than willing to work the middle of the field, and he has the foot quickness to separate on out-breaking routes. With the ability to line up inside or outside, he has proved himself as a solid No. 3 option. He averaged 15.3 yards per catch and scored three touchdowns in 2025.”
Nailor Signing Given ‘B’ Grade By Las Vegas Review-Journal
Despite Frelund’s high praise, not everyone believes the Nailor signing was a slam-dunk move. Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal gave the signing a B:
“Nailor is a prime candidate to break out now that he figures to have a much bigger opportunity with the Raiders, but his talent has not translated to big production on a Minnesota team loaded at wide receiver even though he has produced some great highlights. His elite trait is speed and new coach Klint Kubiak will certainly find a way to use him. Perhaps the homecoming is exactly what he needs to take his game to the next level.”
Regardless, the hope is that Nailor becomes a favorite in Las Vegas and proves to be a great signing.