The Las Vegas Raiders raised some eyebrows during free agency by signing former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor to a three-year, $35.03 million contract. Nearly $12 million a year is a hefty price tag for a wideout who has never had more than 30 catches and 450 yards in a single season.
Granted, not having to compete for targets with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison should lead to an increase in Nailor’s production with the Raiders. That, along with the former Viking’s fit in Las Vegas,
are the reasons Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay listed Nailor as one of five “underrated NFL players who will surprise with new teams in 2026”.
“While Nailor’s previous production may not warrant an eight-figure annual salary, the 2022 sixth-rounder’s upside and potential as a focal point in a Fernando Mendoza-led passing attack are worth the investment,” Kay wrote.
“While the 5’11”, 199-pound pass-catcher isn’t going to dominate with physicality, Nailor is a speedster with great hands who can turn any reception into a big gain. He’s averaging 15.4 yards per reception for his career and had just one drop on 53 targets last season.
“Given Nailor’s athleticism and his ability to line up both outside and in the slot, new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak won’t have much trouble scheming up ways to get Nailor the ball in space. Expect him to quickly emerge as one of Mendoza’s favorite targets and a key playmaker in Vegas’ new-look offense”
On top of what Kay points out, it’s not as if the Raiders have a ton of Pro Bowlers in their current wide receiver corps. Tre Tucker has the most-productive single season of the position group with 57 catches, 696 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. In other words, Nailor is in a good spot to have a breakout performance in Las Vegas this fall.
In Other Raiders’ Links:
- Mike Washington Jr. adds big play threat: “Of his 1,066 rushing yards, 515 came on “breakaway” runs (15 yards or more), according to Pro Football Focus,” S&BP wrote. “That was 14th among all FBS backs and fourth in the SEC, and Washington’s 17 breakaway runs were tied for 12th and tied for fourth in the same respective categories.”
- Can Malik Benson solve return game woes?: “Benson’s 2025 campaign with the Oregon Ducks showcased his prime ability to produce explosive plays on special teams as he fielded nine punts for 161 yards (nearly an average of 18 yards per return) and a touchdown,” S&BP’s Ray Aspuria wrote. “…The Raiders have long needed a decisive return man that can quickly reach top speed and glide past eager gunners to set the offense up with prime real-estate with field-flipping yards gained.”
- Pete Carroll to coach Polynesian bowl: “It’s an incredible honor to be part of the adidas Polynesian Bowl and to serve as a head coach,” the former Raiders head coach said in a statement on the event’s website. “The Polynesian community has given so much to football at every level. This event is about more than football—it’s about celebrating culture, family, and the tremendous talent of these young men.”
- Maxx Crosby enters the rap game: the pass-rusher dropped a new song titled “PlaqueBoy Maxx”.
