New Vikings Roster Battle Bubbles to Surface

Jul 25, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Tai Felton speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports. After the 2025 NFL Draft, most Minnesota Vikings fans left the event believing that the “other” cornerback spot next to Pro Bowler Byron Murphy Jr. was the only main roster battle afoot. New Vikings Roster Battle Bubbles to Surface While that is correct, another possible roster competition has bubbled to the surface, especially after folks witnessed Round 3 of the draft — the third wide receiver position behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Add a WR3 Battle to Your Summer Ledger On Friday, April 25th, the Vikings held a much-anticipated 3rd-Round selection that generated excitement because general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had no 2nd-Rounders in 2025. Nov 11, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Tai Felton (10) scores a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports Onlookers expected the pick to be a cornerback, safety, and perhaps defensive tackle. Then, the team announced the choice: wide receiver Tai Felton from Maryland, a speedster wide receiver with high upside. And just like that, a roster battle was born, particularly for the long term. Jalen Nailor as the Frontrunner Of course, the incumbent WR3, Jalen Nailor, is the frontrunner to win the job outright. Few dispute it. However, the 3rd Round is not a spot in the draft to dink around, insinuating that Felton could be Nailor’s direct replacement. Nailor produced a hot-and-cold season in 2024, his first campaign of three with optimal health. The speedy wideout tabulated 28 receptions for 414 yards and 6 touchdowns. The touchdowns, especially, turned heads. Nov 24, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) celebrates his receiving touchdown with wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images. Nailor, though, is scheduled to enter a contract year in 2025. On paper, drafting Felton looks like a direct replacement plan, akin to Minnesota choosing Dallas Turner in 2024 while letting Patrick Jones II walk via free agency in March 2025. Tai Felton as the Newcomer Felton was not some 6th- or 7th-Rounder forecasted for menial impact. Third-round wideouts often do damage in the NFL, and in fact, fans should expect big things from such players. In the last 10 years, various general managers have pulled these receivers from Round 3: Nico Collins Tank Dell Chris Godwin Kenny Golladay Cooper Kupp Tyler Lockett Terry McLaurin Round 3 is not a playground for lottery tickets in wide receiver-speak. Therefore, Felton should be held to the standard of making an impact. One might argue that a 3rd-Round pass-catcher should actually have no problem whatsoever earning a WR3 job. A WR1 assignment should be the goal, but Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are obviously in the way. Rondale Moore as Frisky As a dark horse, the Vikings signed Rondale Moore from free agency, yet another speedster with WR2 or WR3 upside. He’ll spend the rest of the spring and some of the summer recovering from a season-ending injury he suffered in 2024, but when that heals, well, he’ll demand a shake at WR3. Nov 20, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell comes off the field after the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports. Joudry added, “Nailor has the inside track to be the WR3 in 2025, but the Vikings don’t seem particularly likely to bring him back unless the price is super team-friendly. Tai Felton gives them a young guy to lean on and a free-agent addition like Rondale Moore functions as a good reminder that upside depth receives can be added in free agency for relatively cheap.” “Don’t be surprised if Jalen Nailor ends up being traded away. A trio of players from 2022 — Ed Ingram, Vederian Lowe, and Andrew Booth Jr. — have already been shipped out. A Nailor deal would push the total to four before any of those players hit the fourth year in their rookie contracts.” Nailor, Felton, and Moore could also be in the mix for special teams returning duty. The current WR3, Nailor, will likely win the post in September, but Felton should be expected to take the job before too long. Otherwise, drafting a receiver in Round 3 with the current roster is silly.