Though it doesn’t sound as if Justin Jefferson’s mild hamstring strain is going to keep him out long term, the fact that the superstar receiver can’t compete at Vikings training camp is less than ideal.
The silver lining for the Vikings? They get an extended look at some of the other receivers on the depth chart.
Asked earlier this week about the receivers he’d like to see step up after Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor, head coach Kevin O’Connell mentioned Rondale Moore, Tai Felton, Lucky Jackson and Jeshaun Jones by name.
That would suggest Moore, Felton, Jackson, and Jones are at least slightly ahead of their peers at the moment.
Here’s a tale of the tape as those receivers try to make a name for themselves:
Rondale Moore
Age: 25 years old
Height: 5 feet, 7 inches
Weight: 180 pounds
Analysis: Not many can match Moore’s ability with the ball in his hands when he’s at the peak of his powers. Is he? That remains to be seen. After bursting onto the scene after being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, Moore has struggled to stay on the field. He’s coming off a major knee injury suffered last season with the Atlanta Falcons. There’s a path to Moore to carve out a niche with the Vikings as he’s currently the favorite to be the starting punt returner.
Tai Felton
Age: 22
Height: 6 feet, 1 inch
Weight: 185 pounds
Analysis: It’s only a matter of time before Felton makes an impact after the Vikings selected him in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He has a good combination of size and speed and has already started to get some reps with the starters. The biggest question is whether the Vikings are going to trust Felton enough to give him such a big role so early in his career. It might make more sense to bring him along slowly — unless he proves he’s too good to keep off the field.
Lucky Jackson
Age: 28
Height: 6 foot
Weight: 185 ponds
Analysis: As far as volume of reps goes, Jackson has seen the most time with the starters. That might be simply because he has the most knowledge of the offense after spending multiple seasons with the Vikings as a member of the practice squad. Though he might not possess the same upside as some of the younger receivers, Jackson has managed to stick around because he’s so reliable. Now he needs to find a way to separate himself from the pack.
Jeshaun Jones
Age: 25 years old
Height: 6 feet, 1 inch
Weight: 190 pounds
Analysis: It might come as a surprise that Jones is included in this group. He has lived in obscurity since signing with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent. He clearly made an impression last season as a member of the practice squad. Maybe he has some untapped potential in him. It’s unlikely the Vikings would be giving Jones reps with the starters unless they believed it’s there.
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