Jordan Addison's potential 3-game suspension could open door for others
Third-round pick Tai Felton could move up the Vikings' wide receiver depth chart, if the NFL suspends Addison.
The Vikings’ top three wide receiver spots appear set with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor locked in for a second consecutive season. But Addison’s decision Thursday to plead no contest to a lesser charge stemming from a 2024 drunken driving arrest could create an opportunity for another receiver.
Because Addison’s plea in California involves an acknowledgment of the use of alcohol in a driving incident, he is facing a three-game suspension by the NFL. It’s unclear when that might happen, but the Vikings need to be prepared for Addison to miss time.
That would bump Nailor to the No. 2 receiver and create an opportunity for someone who doesn’t see extensive playing time to slide into an important role on a team that has big expectations.
The Vikings will open training camp with 13 wide receivers on their roster. Last year, they kept six receivers on the initial 53-man roster. In addition to Jefferson, Addison and Nailor, the list included Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson and Trent Sherfield Jr. Those three are no longer members of the Vikings.
Tai Felton, a third-round pick from Maryland in April, intrigued the team in part because of his ability to gain yards after the catch. That’s something the Vikings want more of this season and Felton should provide it, having averaged more than six yards after the catch in his collegiate career.