jalen nailor
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Las Vegas Raiders WR Jalen Nailor.
One of the most interesting signings of the offseason was the Las Vegas Raiders signing wide receiver Jalen Nailor. He’s never had more than 444 receiving yards in his career, but he’s also been behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on the Minnesota Vikings‘ depth chart.
Many believe that he’s got the potential to be far more productive in an offense that he has a bigger role in. The Raiders are very thin at wide receiver, so there’s a chance that Nailor could be the No. 1 option this season.
Las Vegas gave him a three-year, $35 million contract, which isn’t a huge price to pay. In fact, some around the NFL think it was a really savvy move. One anonymous NFL executive told The Athletic’s Mike Sando that it was a better contract than some of the other wide receiver deals from the offseason.
“A lot of people liked Jalen Nailor, including us,” an exec told Sando. “Underrated guy who was lost in the shuffle with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in Minnesota. Fast, has reliable hands, has inside-outside flexibility, runs good routes. I would much rather have Nailor at his price ($11.7 million per year) than Wan’Dale Robinson at his price ($17.5 million) or even (Michael) Pittman at his price ($17.5 million).”
Nailor Reuniting With Former QB
Nailor might have a leg up over the other wide receiver on the Raiders’ roster now. The team just signed quarterback Kirk Cousins, who played with Nailor for two years with the Minnesota Vikings.
Now, Nailor’s numbers got better after Cousins left, but the two should have some level of rapport. Cousins is expected to start, even if the Raiders draft Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick. That means Nailor could be the favored wide receiver from the starting quarterback, which could be great for his numbers.
Nailor Feels He’s a Fit in Klint Kubiak’s Offense
This was Nailor’s first chance to test free agency, so it was a big decision to sign with the Raiders. He has a lot of belief in Klint Kubiak’s offense.
“It was more so just how they see me as a player. The type of guy that I’ve been… Just knowing the offense that Kubiak runs and how he gets his guys the ball, gets them in space just to let them do what they do, and I’m excited for this opportunity,” Nailor said at his introductory press conference. “It’s more of a thing that they see my skillset, and they know how to use me correctly within the offense. Motions, jet sweeps, things like that. Taking the top off the defense. I feel like I’m a complete receiver that can do all aspects at this receiver role. I’m just excited for this opportunity. I’m a competitor at heart and this is just going to showcase the type of competitor that I am.”
Nailor is still going to be young enough when his current contract ends to get another payday. If he can at least be the type of player Jakobi Meyers was for the Raiders, he could be looking at a big contract in a few years.