Vikings WR depth chart: What Jordan Addison suspension means for Justin Jefferson, Jalen Nailor
The Vikings will be without one of their star talents when they kick off their season in September.
Wide receiver Jordan Addison was suspended three games for a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, the league announced on Tuesday. He’ll forgo hundreds of thousands of dollars in game checks as a result of the ban, which stems from a 2024 arrest for two misdemeanor DUIs.
Addison pled no contest to a lesser charge in July, avoiding trial and accelerating the return process. The 23-year-old can remain around the team as it participates in warm-up games, but Addison won’t be around when Minnesota takes on its first three regular season opponents: the Bears, Falcons, and Bengals.
MORE: Why Jordan Addison was hit with 3-game ban to start 2025 season
With Addison slated to miss out on a trio of decisive matches, the Vikings will need some reinforcements. Fortunately for them, Kevin O’Connell’s side is teeming with talent in the open field — many of whom can work to fill in the void left by the Pittsburgh alum who fell just short of the 1,000-yard plateau in 2023 and 2024.
With that, here’s what you need to know about Minnesota’s wide receiver depth in 2025.
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Vikings WR depth chartPositionPlayer1Justin Jefferson2Jalen Nailor3Tai Felton4Rondale Moore5Tim Jones6Thayer Thomas7Lucky JacksonJustin Jefferson
There’s a case to be made that Jefferson is the best receiver in the league. Since his debut in 2020, Jefferson has more receiving yards than any other pass-catcher (7,432). A four-time Pro Bowler, two-time All Pro, and the 2022 AP Offensive Player of the Year recipient, Jefferson will get his targets regardless of who is alongside him. He recorded 103 catches for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 14, 2024MORE: Fantasy impact of Jordan Addison’s 3-game suspension
Jalen Nailor
Nailor stands to take on an increased role in Minnesota’s setup with Addison absent. The former sixth-round pick enjoyed a minor breakout in 2024, collecting 28 catches for 414 yards and six touchdowns in his third year in purple.
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 29, 2024Tai Felton
Possessing a 6-2, 180-pound frame, Felton isn’t the most intimidating figure to matchup again. What he doesn’t have in bulk he makes up for in speed. The Maryland alum posted a sizzling 4.37 40-yard dash at the 2025 NFL Combine. A third-round pick, Felton was tipped to be a solid talent at the NFL level. Only time will tell if he’s got the skillset to last in the NFL.
Third round pick Tai Felton has an insane amount of potential in this Vikings offense.
2024 at Maryland:
– 96 receptions
-1,124 yards
-11.7 yards per catch
-9 TDs
Can’t wait to see how KOC utilizes him. pic.twitter.com/oZM6NsFefF
— Jason Harmon (@_jason_777) July 18, 2025MORE: Top landing spots for Micah Parsons after trade request
Rondale Moore
The former Cardinals pass-catcher enjoyed an uneven tenure in the Valley of the Sun, tallying just 1,201 yards and three touchdowns across three seasons. A former second-round pick in the 2021 draft, Moore still has some captivating potential, particularly in the slot, his preferred position. He inked a one-year, $2 million deal with Minnesota in the offseason.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 19, 2023Tim Jones
Jones spent each of the past three seasons on the fringes of the Jaguars’ roster. He has 17 catches and 154 yards to his name thus far. Prior to his time with Jacksonville, Jones, 27, netted 150 catches for 2,011 yards and 11 touchdowns with Southern Miss.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 19, 2023Thayer Thomas
Thomas is one of NC State’s greatest wideouts, finishing his five-year spell in Raleigh with the second-most catches, second-most receiving touchdowns, and fifth-most yards in program history. He’s yet to make an impact at the NFL level. But he’s spent each of his three seasons in and around Minnesota’s practice squad. There’s little reason to believe that will not continue in 2025.
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 2, 2025Lucky Jackson
Jackson, 28, has only participated in three NFL games since entering the league back in 2023. He’s well-traveled at the professional level, making stops in Edmonton and Washington DC (with the XFL’s DC Defenders) before landing in Minnesota. Jackson earned first-team All-XFL honors after recording 36 catches for 573 yards and five touchdowns across 10 games in 2023.
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 2, 2025
