Kevin O’Connell Forecasts Big Year for Former 6th-Rounder

O’Connell was asked about his plan if that happens, and he pointed at last year’s WR3 Jalen Nailor to take his spot.

“I think we basically went through that last year with Jordan [missing games],” O’Connell expressed. “We essentially, for two and a half games, didn’t have him, and we were able to beat the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans with Jalen Nailor playing huge roles in those games. Jalen caught a touchdown in the second half of the opener against the Giants [without Addison].”

Nailor posted a season-long stat line of 28 catches for 414 yards and six touchdowns. In the first three games, he recorded seven catches for 106 yards and three scores, most of that without Addison on the field, showing that he can produce as the secondary option. Of course, if Addison were forced to miss time, Hockenson would also be present this time.

The former sixth-round pick showed bright flashes early in his career, but injuries kept holding him back. Last season, his third, he was finally healthy, and his output increased.

O’Connell explained, “I think Speedy, what we were always hoping for was to see what it looked like when he was able to stay healthy. He was able to do that, and I think he learned over the course of the season the different, unique ways that Justin gets defended has a direct impact on how he needs to prepare to play.”

Jefferson puts fear into the enemy’s eyes, and they send double, sometimes even triple, coverage his way in an attempt to slow him down. When that is the case, his teammates need to take advantage of that.

Nailor’s production took a big hit in the middle of the season, overlapping with Hockenson’s return. In the final two regular season games, however, he caught a combined eight passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. More consistency should be his goal in a contract year, but O’Connell expects him to position himself nicely for free agency in 11 months, but there will be some competition.

“Speedy’s going to have a great year. I think this is a massive, massive year for his career, but we want to make it competitive, whether it’s Rondale [Moore], Tim Jones coming in, to really fill a role and a purpose or potentially drafting one. We want to have really impactful players in that room.”

Rondale Moore was signed, but he is still recovering from a season-ending knee injury suffered last training camp. He has a different receiver style than Nailor, more of a slot weapon with short-yardage skills, while Nailor is a vertical deep threat. Jones is a special teamer with 154 receiving yards through three seasons with the Jaguars.

Whether early or late, drafting a receiver shouldn’t be ruled out, especially after O’Connell mentioned it.

Regardless. Nailor is, at this point, the next man up if Addison misses time. He wants to build on his breakout season and establish himself as a reliable and explosive pass-catcher in the NFL.