As great a receiver as Justin Jefferson is for the Minnesota Vikings, he can’t do it all alone. Both Brandon Powell and Jalen Nailor thus far this season have made some big timely catches at crucial times during games. These catches moved the chains and kept drives alive.
“[The team] might need to make a big catch, and you might get one or two catches, but that’s my job,” said Powell proudly. The 5’8” wideout added, “I like my role I got here. Man, you got superstars all around you. If I can go out and get them open, go out and block them, that’s my job.”
Nailor and Jefferson each have a touchdown in the Vikings first three games this season, the first duo in team history to have a touchdown catch in each of the team’s first three games and the first since 2018 to do it in the NFL.
The six-foot Nailor, after scoring a touchdown, didn’t do the usual end zone dance routine often seen. Instead he handed the ball to the referee.
“That’s just always how I’ve been,” said Nailor. “Always get the ball right to the ref…”
Both Nailor and Powell are what you call “situational receivers.”
“You might not see 100 yards a game, 10 catches” from him, continued Powell. “But if you turn the film on, you’ll see me out there doing a receiver’s job, blocking, getting players open. And when the ball comes our way, making the catch.”
We asked both players when they realized they could indeed be pro football players. Nailor played college ball at Michigan State and has been on the Minnesota roster since 2022. Powell played at Florida, then three other NFL clubs (Detroit, 2018; Atlanta, 2019-20; Los Angeles Rams, 2021-22) before joining the Vikings this season.
“Honestly, it wasn’t until I got to my fourth year in the league,” responded Powell.
Added Nailor, “I always dreamed of it. I just put in the work, just growing up doing the work, got to this spot and paid it off.
“I wouldn’t say I knew exactly where,” Nailor said, but his dream of playing pro ball has indeed come true.