Getty Wide receiver Jalen Reagor of the Minnesota Vikings.
Jalen Reagor’s days with the Minnesota Vikings may be numbered.
The former Philadelphia Eagles first-round pick’s best chance of staying on the team was keeping his 2022 role as punt returner. But the Vikings brought in competition for the job, signing veteran Brandon Powell in the offseason and is expected to win the role after a month of training camp, according to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson.
“I see Powell making it,” Wolfson wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in response to a fan question about how the wide receiver depth chart would shape up. “Not like he can’t be used on offense!”
@J_B_ROSE I see Powell making it. Not like he can’t be used on offense!
Minnesota acquired Reagor in a trade last September, sending the Eagles a 2023 seventh-round pick and a 2024 conditional fifth-round pick. According to Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice, the conditional pick would escalate to a fourth-round pick if Reagor reached any of the following benchmarks: 40 receptions, 500 receiving yards or five touchdowns.
Reagor did not near any of those benchmarks in 2023 and they may be very well out of his reach if he is cut by August 29, when the Vikings will trim down to their final 53-man roster.
Vikings Coach Kevin O’Connell Addresses WR Problem at Training Camp
Addressing final roster cuts, coach Kevin O’Connell described a good problem Minnesota has in having to trim down a deep wide receivers room.
“I think that group is going to be very tough for us to figure out whether it’s five or six [receivers]. Ultimately what the depth looks like on the practice squad, there’s probably four or five names that are all deserving. These are good problems to have, but you’re trying to figure out how it will all fit,” O’Connell said in an August 19 media conference following the Vikings’ preseason matchup with the Tennessee Titans.
O’Connell touched on Reagor’s skillset and performance in training camp, saying his speed is a weapon they tried to exploit on Saturday.
“Jalen Reagor’s speed, we kind of tried to get him over [the top of the defense a] couple times tonight,” O’Connell said. “Either the pocket or coverage didn’t allow it. His speed is a real factor.”
Reagor’s speed didn’t amount to much as he caught 2-of-5 targets on Saturday as the Vikings had issues with protection and allowing deep routes to develop.
Minnesota has another deep threat in Jalen Nailor, who has been out most of training camp but is considered a shoo-in for the fourth wide receiver spot behind Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn and Jordan Addison.
O’Connell also credited Powell for his entire camp performance and the versatility he brings to the offense.
“Brandon Powell has had an excellent training camp, doing so many things I don’t think people realize sometimes all the different jobs he can do,” O’Connell said.
Vikings WRs Vying for Final Spot
If Powell is in and Reagor is out, there is potentially one more spot left in the wide receiver room.
Trishton Jackson has had an impressive training camp along with former New England Patriots first-round pick N’Keal Harry.
Jackson offers more all-around ability and could fill in at any spot, while Harry, at 6-foot-4, has the size to be a viable red-zone threat and possession receiver on third down.