He would rank No. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like. As a target he has good hands, ability to adjust to the ball and can create after the catch. 51 in total TDs (13 (12 receiving, 1 rushing). Follow full coverage of Jalen Nailor during the 2022 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. He is a receiver who was used on both sides of the Spartan offensive alignment and was used throughout the route tree on all three levels. Nailors deep speed demands help and often opens things up for other receivers underneath, as well as for the run game. I saw him create space in a variety of ways but quickness and acceleration at the top of the route was his best. Vs Michigan, at the bottom he doesnt get the ball here but its a really nice route. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! Several other MSU players have used up all of their college eligibility and could opt to pursue the NFL Draft, or move on from their football careers. Nailor's biggest stats in one game occurred on Oct. 11, 2021, when he totaled a career-best 221 yards and tied a school record he had already matched with three scores . How he fits the Rams While Nailor. Nailor ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, which ranked 19th among this year's receivers, but his impact goes beyond straight-line speed. Nailor finished his college career with 1,844 all-purpose yards, adding 179 on kick returns, 163 on rushes and 48 on punt returns to his receiving tally. NFL draft projections for Michigan State football players Kenneth Walker III, Connor Heyward, and Jalen Nailor. With Nailors ability to stretch the field vertically, the Rams could have him on their radar if they are interested in adding a wideout in the draft. (89%*), Drafted: ROUND: 6 - Pick Number: 191 (MIN), (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance), SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. Jameson Williams and Calvin Austin III might be the first couple. Against Zone coverage he showed solid awareness to find open spaces and give the quarterback a good target. For his career, Nailor averaged almost 17 yards per catch, and he also took 17 carries out of the backfield for 163 yards and a score. Improved route running on all levels We use ads to fund this site and continue to bring you premium Steelers content. Odds & lines subject to change. Nicknamed Speedy. 2022 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Michigan State WR Jalen Nailor. Nailor and Willekes were teammates for two seasons at Michigan State (2018-19), and they talked briefly after Nailor became the ninth former Spartan ever selected by the Vikings in an NFL Draft and third since 2015 (Trae Waynes). 1. 2022-08-23-jaxon-smith-njigba. Other MSU NFL draft hopefuls WR Jalen Nailor. Nailor was a bright spot in a Michigan State aerial attack that leaned on their running game due to their underwhelming quarterback play. With a 4.69 40-yard dash, a 37.5-inch vertical, and a strong 4.21 short-shuttle time, Nailor tantalized teams with his athletic upside. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Nailor came to East Lansing during the Mark Dantonio era, first arriving in 2018, and has 86 receptions for 1,454 receiving yards (16.9 yards per catch) and 12 touchdowns in four seasons (28 career games played) with Michigan State. At Miami, hell take the swing screen and shows his acceleration getting up to speed quickly. Wide receiver isnt a blatant need for Los Angeles, but Sean McVay has shown a tendency to add skill players consistently in the draft. On deep throws he tracks the ball very well and is comfortable making over-the-shoulder receptions. It remains to be seen what Odell Beckham Jr. elects to do in free agency, especially as he recovers from a torn ACL that will force him to miss part of the 2022 campaign. Predictably, it is. Nevertheless, let's take a look at some NFL Draft prospects the Raiders could target in our projections. Please check your email for a confirmation. With the nickname "Speedy," Nailor has been a big piece for Michigan State's threatening offense in 2021. He also has good blind-spot awareness and can sneak into open zones downfield with his speed. This limits him as a route runner despite his burst out of cuts, hes likely a specialist more than an every-down player. NFL draft profile scouting report for Michigan State Wide Receiver, Jalen Nailor, Subscribe to NFL Draft Bible today and receive a one-year subscription to Sports Illustrated the magazine, for FREE, CLICK HERE TO VIEW NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH, The Mock Draft Simulator by Mock Draft Database. named an All-Big Ten honorable mention by the media, Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors that week, GAME THREAD: Michigan State at Nebraska - Mens Basketball, How to Watch Michigan State at Nebraska - TV, Quick Facts and Prediction, Game Preview: MSU Looks for Plains State Redemption in Nebraska, BBDs 3pt Shot: Epic Collapse Overshadows MSU Finding its Dude and Rotation - What it All Means. Lacks a second gear. Copyright 2019-2023. "Walker can add a more consistent rushing element to their offense," writes Sporting News, while Draftek says, "Here, the Bills land an every-down back that if he improves in pass protection will take a tremendous amount off of Josh Allen's plate offensively. Walker can add a more consistent rushing element to their offense. Nailor joins Kenneth Walker III, Connor Heyward and Kevin Jarvis as Michigan State players who are forgoing their remaining college eligibility. He ran a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and had a 38-inch vertical leap. He has good burst, but he gears up better in space, where he can open his strides. Michigan State football's 80-year NFL draft streak is officially over, but Spartan Nation breaks down five prospects for next season. The following season, Nailor played in just four games due to . Below, you can see where Kenneth Walker III, Jalen Nailor and Connor Heyward are projected to go by draft experts around the country. The native of Palmdale, California, headed about 240 miles northeast to Las Vegas and joined powerhouse Bishop Gorman as a sophomore. His stats could have been much better. Of course, Nailor is far from a finished product. Nailor returned for the Spartans 31-21 Peach Bowl victory over Pittsburgh, where he had six receptions for 108 yards. Nailors speed makes him unique in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Contact/Follow us@The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. His long, energetic strides cover a lot of ground, and he can swiftly get upfield on screens. 16 on career receiving TDs (12), No. Something was drawing me to him and Im glad I finally took a look. Theres room for Nailor to sink his hips better and quicken his releases. The most pressing issue on his tape is his catching ability. Wide receiver Jalen Nailor on Monday announced he's entering the 2022 NFL Draft. From now until the 2022 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. If the Big Ten scraps divisions and goes to the 3-6-6 model - who should Michigan State get as its three permanent rivals? Additionally, he doesnt quite have the consistent hand strength or coordination to corral off-target throws. If youre looking for speed in the 2022 NFL Draft, there are a few wide receivers who come to mind. Nailor brings a definite speed element coveted at the next level. His speed allows him to stack defensive backs and get separation downfield, as well as extend short passes and explode into space. While his linear speed is his greatest asset, he has some shiftiness and agility with the ball in his hands. Nicely times receptions, possesses terrific eye/hand coordination, and makes the difficult over-the-shoulder reception downfield. draft, in connection with a car crash in . These players include center Matt Allen, defensive end Drew Beesley, kicker Matt Coghlin, quarterback Anthony Russo, defensive end Drew Jordan, offensive lineman AJ Arcuri, offensive lineman Luke Campbell and defensive end Jacub Panasiuk. . Moreover, Nailor has flashed good throttle control. Given the depth at wide receiver in this years draft class, Nailor is expected to be available on Day 3. Toughness was also shown willing to go over the middle and take a big hit. Has the strong hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. Jenkins against Northwester in 2011. The Miami Dolphins forfeited their first-round pick in 2023 and third-round pick in 2024 due to Stephen Ross tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton. Nailor missed four games due to a hand injury, but in the nine games he played, he registered 37 catches for 695 yards and 6 touchdowns. He won four state titles, including as an individual in the 100 and 200 meters and as a member of the school's 400- and 800-meter relay teams. Jalen Carter 2023 NFL Draft profile, scouting report Kyle Stackpole 2 min read Jalen Nailor is an exciting playmaker who has 80 catches for 1,346 yards, reaching the 1,000 career yards mark in the Western Kentucky game, becoming the 46th player in MSU history to reach. Nailor is MSUs active leader with 1,346 receiving yards and over the last two seasons, 45-of-57 (78.9 percent) receptions have gone for either a first down or TD. 36, Round 4 trade-up, Rams grade out poorly in NFLPA's player-survey report card, 10 cornerbacks for Rams to watch at NFL combine, Peter King shares what he thinks the Rams could get for Jalen Ramsey, Rams are in a tough spot with Allen Robinson heading into 2023, Rams 2023 Draft Prospect Profile: Hendon Hooker (QB, Tennessee), 5 safeties for Rams to watch at NFL combine, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Potential to play all three WR spots, Handling press consistently The prep teams that Nailor played for went 15-0, 15-0 and 13-2. The Minnesota Vikings select Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jalen Nailor in Round 6 of the 2022 NFL Draft with the No. Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter is widely considered one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, with plenty forecasting the Bulldogs product as a top-five pick. MSU has three players with legit chances of being picked: running back Kenneth Walker, wide receiver Jalen Nailor and tight end Connor Heyward. He tracks the deep ball well and is a willing blocker for teammates. Willing blocker, positions himself well Team: San Francisco 49ers. From now until the 2022 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. The ball can easily be jarred loose through the catch process, and in tight spaces, Nailor loses track of the ball and struggles to secure. He knows where the sideline is and keeps his feet in good position when on the boundaries. When he was able to suit up for the Spartans last season, the team went 9-0 thanks to career highs of 37 receptions, 695 yards and six touchdowns. Teams are constantly seeking out value in the mid-to-late rounds, and Nailor might be the guy who provides that this cycle. A player that Brian Gutekunst could potentially target on day three is Jalen Nailor. Three Spartans were invited to the NFL Combine, which begins on March 1: tailback Kenneth Walker III, wide receiver Jalen Nailor and tight end/H-back Connor Heyward. As of now, he needs more comfort and space to be consistent. After the catch he can make big plays. A savvy, natural pass-catcher with reliable hands and very good focus. Nailor accounted for over 30% of his teams passing output that year and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors as a result. Contested catches was not a strong point for him and he has not had a lot of success breaking tackles. Vs Pittsburgh, at the top he easily wins the route and yes the ball is underthrown but he had both hands on it. In 2021, the Spartans passing attack took a drastic step forward, and much of the credit goes to Nailor and his teammate Jayden Reed. The Michigan State WR sometimes cups the ball instead of clasping it. 20 on MSU career receptions/game list (2.96), No. Will get you yards if he has space. Not going to break a lot of tackles Share scouting report on Twitter or Facebook, 9 1/8 This demands some extra cushion for corners who cant match the speed, which Nailor will punish with a good ability to plant his feet and turn on curl routes. In his four seasons at Michigan State, Nailor supplied 86 receptions, 1,454 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. An arrest warrant has been issued for Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter stemming from the crash that killed a . As a pass receiver, he showed good acceleration against off coverage and can eat up space quickly. Nailor can turn on a dime on routes, but he can also be used on motions, drags, and jet sweeps to create more looks. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Those having Walker going two picks later to the Bills at 57 including The Athletic's Dane Brugler, the Sporting News and Draftek. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 . You'll now receive the top Rams Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. As evidenced by his Rutgers game, Nailor is capable of being a game-wrecker if you get him into a favorable matchup. He would choose to attend Michigan State in college, spending four years with the Spartans. #8Pos: WRHt: 5112Wt: 186Hand: 0918Arm: 3028Wing: 730040: 4.50Bench: N/A3-Cone: 7.03Shuttle: 4.28Vert: 38"Broad: 10'08"DOB:Eligibility: 2022Palmdale, CABishop Gorman High School. He totaled 108 receptions for 1,995 yards and 28 touchdown catches for Bishop Gorman. Minnesota Vikings punter Ryan Wright throws an incomplete pass on a fake punt attempt that results in a turnover on downs. Tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes fluidly without breaking stride downfield. He does a lot of little things that add to his game. Consistently catches the ball with his hands. ET start time) Saturday . Nailor is god awful in contested catch situations and didnt haul in a single contested catch in 2021. Most mock drafts have Nailor going in the sixth or seventh round, likely due to his injury concerns and lack of production coming out of college. For better and for worse, Nailor is a long strider who can eat up ground but lacks bend and hip flexibility. Jalen Nailor NFL draft projections The highest projection for Nailor comes from CBSSports.com's Ryan Wilson , who has "Speedy" going to the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round, 134th overall. Standing out at Rutgers. Nailor will win even more scouts over with his blocking ability. Overall, Nailor is a receiver who played on the outside and ran the entire route tree. 60 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown. Especially on hitch routes, hes able to chop his feet quickly and sink his hips to gain quick separation. Jalen Nailor or Zach Pascal Start Over | Edit Players Summary Game Log Stats Points Targets Notes Get custom advice with our Draft Assistant Go Premium For FREE Deposit at least $10 at a DFS. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Can create after the catch The Michigan State wide receiver checks in at No. Doesnt project as an impact special teamer. 42 for career receptions (80) and No. Below, you can see where Kenneth Walker III, Jalen Nailor and Connor Heyward are projected to go by draft experts around the country. 191 overall in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He received scholarship offers from plenty of schools in the west, including Colorado, Arizona State, and Nevada. *Go All Access - Subscribe to NFL Draft Bible today and receive a one-year subscription to Sports Illustrated the magazine, for FREE! No one has the most comprehensive and accurate rankings when it comes to fantasy football than the NFL Draft Bible. 2 receiver in 2022, finishing with 37 catches for 695. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 2022 NFL Draft: Kenneth Walker, Jalen Nailor, Connor Heyward projections, 2022 NFL Draft: Kenneth Walker, Jalen Nailor, Connor Heyward projections. Turned in average production at Michigan State. Rueter's NFL.com mock is the only one that has Heyward being picked, but not Nailor. Nailor has great speed and explosiveness to go along with ball-tracking ability, run-after-catch potential, and existing route-running upside. Walker, the Walter Camp and Doak Walker award winner, is expected to be a Day 2 pick, while Nailor and Heyward are potential Day 3 selections. All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Jalen Nailor . Hundreds of prospects ranked and updated throughout the season. Nailor was the third consecutive player drafted by Minnesota from a Big Ten school, joining former Gophers defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo and Illini tackle Vederian Lowe. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens throws a 37-yard completion to wide receiver Jalen Nailor on fourth down. CBS Sports No. Reuter has the H-back going in the sixth round, pick 208, to the Steelers, the team which his brother, Cam, has played for since 2011. He did well to sell blocks and then good timing to release on screens and play action plays and get behind defenders. Has only average height and overall length. Tyler's Scouting Report. With his speed, Nailor can stretch space and warp tackling angles. Sign up for the Spartans Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, Michigan State football has extended a scholarship offer to one of the top in-state prospects in the 2024 class, Michigan State football has extended a scholarship offer to a three-star tight end prospect from California. Vikings' Jalen Nailor: Has four receptions in win. Kenneth Walker NFL draft projections Almost every mock draft with second-round projections has Walker going in the second round to either the Arizona Cardinals or Buffalo Bills. His arm length is below average. EAGAN, Minn. The Vikings selected Michigan State receiver Jalen 'Speedy' Nailor in the sixth round with the 191st overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Negatives: Possesses a thin frame and struggles in battles. Washington totaled 172 receptions for 3,087 yards and 23 touchdowns in six seasons, making two Pro Bowls along the way. Nailors hands are average to below, drops will happen. At Rutgers, at the bottom of the screen Nailor (8) uses quickness and a hand swipe with the inside hand to beat press and then he makes a nifty over the shoulder catch and creates after the catch. The top of the wide receiver depth chart appears to be set in stone for the Los Angeles Rams right now. Nailor keeps his feet churning well on his stems and can get back up to top speed quickly from his cuts. ", Others pegging Walker to the Cardinals include CBSSports.com's Ryan Wilson and WalterFootball.com. 4. Best with free release, but not ideally suited for a slot role. In a truncated seven-game season, Nailor kept flashing his potential. Nailor earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades by both the media. High school program record in the 100 meters (10.70) and 200 meters (21.57) Sign up for the Rams Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. and ranked second in 2021 (18.8 avg.) ", Pro Football Network has the highest projection for Walker, going 37th overall to the Houston Texans. Jalen Nailor is an exciting playmaker who has 80 catches for 1,346 yards, reaching the 1,000 career yards mark in the Western Kentucky game, becoming the 46th player in MSU history to reach 1,000 career receiving yards. Nailor attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, where he was a part of three state championship and two national championship teams. By Tony Pauline April 7, 2022 Jump around this article Click to show Career 9 kick returns, 179 yards, 19.9 ypr; 8 punt returns 48 yards, 6.0 ypr While he needs more consistency as a catcher, he has shown he can extend and snare the ball at the catch point. At the NFL scouting combine, Nailor posted a 4.50 40-yard dash (19th among WR), a 38-inch vertical jump (8th among WR), and a 7.03 three-cone (5th among WR). NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Very good acceleration, gets up to speed quickly This draft is full of receivers and that may push him down a bit but the ability is there. Nailor appears on tape to have sub 4.4 speed and compliments that with a natural ability to stack defenders deep on vertical routes. Balanced, savvy route runner with top field awareness, setting up and selling routes beautifully. He should . All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Most notably, Nailor had three touchdowns in the first half against Rutgers, earning Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors that week. 7 for career active FBS players for yards/catch (16.8) but doesnt have the 100 career catch minimum and ranks No. But the Spartans' streak will almost certainly begin anew when the 2022 draft begins Thursday with the first round and runs through Saturday. The Michigan State WR caught 8 passes for 138 yards and 2 scores and picked up 9 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Nailor is a legitimate deep-threat burner whose production comes from demanding schematic respect over the top. He has all the tools to be a Z receiver but I think he can also play the slot right away. He easily gets separation in the short and intermediate fields and possesses enough pass-catching skills to make a roster as a fifth receiver. Using strength at the top of the route to create space was not commonly used. Among other things, while Nailor has high-level speed, he might not be quite at the level of Jameson Williams. Nailor isnt a particularly nuanced player, but he opens things up for others underneath. Nailor helped the Gaels win the state football title in each of his three seasons and finish No.