The Minnesota Vikings have been one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season. They have beaten teams like the San Francisco 49ers and, this past week, beaten the Houston Texans. This twist from the Minnesota Vikings has to be accredited to Kevin O’Connell and the defensive coordinator Brian Flores. We have seen elevated games from Sam Darnold and Jalen Nailor, who replaced Jordan Addison as the WR2 during his injury.
Could Nailor help elevate our fantasy football team so we can win in Week 4 and throughout the rest of the season, or is this a flash in the pan? Let’s break down the key insights to help us determine Nailor’s fantasy value on our team.
Should Jalen Nailor Be Added on the Fantasy Waiver Wire in Week 4?
Nailor is only rostered on 22% of Sleeper leagues in the 2024 season. We should scour our waiver wire and try to add him to our fantasy team in Week 4. Nailor has performed above expectations for the entire fantasy season, especially lately during most of Addison’s injuries. Nailor has produced a touchdown in each game this season. He has been hyper-efficient as TruMedia ranks his 75 total routes as the 49th-best in the NFL for wide receivers this season.
.@jalennailor's 3rd TD of the season gives the #Vikings a 21-0 lead.
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/ZJxnMM5VBM
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings)
Those three touchdowns come on a limited target share, as he has only seen nine targets this season. However, his 77.8% reception rate is the key to his efficiency. Nailor is a down-the-field threat within this surprising Vikings offense, as his 15.1 yards per reception rank 20th overall. His air yard per target sits at 11.78, which ranks 27th overall.
Nailor has overperformed and over-delivered, which is a combination that builds confidence in the Vikings coaching staff. Addison will eventually return, but Nailor should continue to be schemed into the offense every week in an offense that loves 11 personnel (three wide receivers).
Don’t be surprised when you see Nailor rising up the Consensus Rankings as he faces a Green Bay Packers defense that the second wide receiver can attack. Jaire Alexander will have his hands full with Justin Jefferson, allowing Nailor to navigate freely around the field. Teams have tried to target wide receivers at the eighth-highest total. The Packers have only allowed the 13th most receptions while keeping wide receivers locked down the majority of the time, with a fantasy points per game total that ranks 13th overall.
Vegas does believe this game can put points on the board, as the implied total for the game sits at 43 overall. They also have the Vikings as the underdog, which speaks to a passing narrative from the Vikings’ offensive scheme. This only helps Nailor’s ability to perform on our fantasy football teams. If you are struggling at your flex position, Nailor can help elevate your roster in this divisional battle in Week 4.