Jalen Nailor made his presence felt for the first time in three seasons last year. He caught 28 passes for 414 yards and six touchdowns. Three of those scores came in each of the first three games of the season, showing Nailor can contribute to the Vikings' offense.
According to ESPN's Kevin Seifert, Kevin O'Connell is expecting more from Nailor in 2025. Jordan Addison will likely be serving a suspension for a DUI-related incident from last July, meaning Nailor will have to step into the starting role for a couple of games.
However, O'Connell believes Nailor is capable of filling in for Addison. Nailor had to step up early last year when Addison missed two games and part of another due to an ankle injury.
"I think we basically went through that last year with Jordan [missing games]," O'Connell said. "We essentially, for two and a half games, didn't have him, and we were able to beat the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans with Jalen Nailor playing huge roles in those games."
Jalen Nailor caught seven passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns when Addison was gone last year. In 2025, Nailor would also have the luxury of having T.J. Hockenson back to help take pressure off the passing game, who missed the first half of the 2024 season while recovering from an ACL tear.
Injuries have kept Nailor off the field for most of his career, but O'Connell is hoping for another season of good health. Nailor is also entering a contract season, which could further motivate him to perform and receive a substantial pay day next offseason.
"I think this is a massive, massive year for his career," O'Connell said.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Kevin O'Connell wants more out of one specific Vikings WR in 2025
