Panthers could pursue resourceful trade for Vikings' breakout WR

The Carolina Panthers need to add weapons for Bryce Young in some form or fashion this offseason, but they will face complications due to limited cap room.

As a result, the Panthers will have to get creative with shrewd signings and potential trades, and a very interesting trade may be on the table with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings currently have one of the best wide receiver duos in football in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but they also possess a very intriguing tertiary option: Jalen Nailor.

Nailor caught 28 passes for 414 yards and six touchdowns as Minnesota's No. 3 receiver this season in what represented the best year of his NFL career to date.

So why would the Vikings trade him?

Well, Nailor is preparing to enter the final year of his deal, and the chances of Minnesota re-signing him after 2025 seem slim. Not after the Vikings just paid Jefferson and with Addison becoming eligible for an extension next offseason.

Nailor is just 25 years old and has shown a penchant for the big play, as evidenced that 22 of his catches went for first downs (and that doesn't even include all of his touchdowns).

The Panthers currently have Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker at receiver, but Thielen could be done in Carolina, and while Legette and Coker are talented, they are largely unproven.

Not that Nailor has exactly established himself as a consistent threat, but he has certainly shown flashes, and if we're being honest, he outproduced Legette on a per-catch basis in 2024.

The Michigan State product has decent size, standing six-foot and weighing 190 pounds. He has played in the slot for the Vikings, so he could definitely slide into that role with Carolina, especially if the Panthers and Thielen part ways.

Nailor is very young and hasn't yet reached his potential, so he is someone who could absolutely grow with Young moving forward.

Plus, he likely wouldn't cost a ton in draft capital, so Carolina may want to trade a pick for Nailor to have the bird in the hand rather than banking on drafting a wide receiver in the middle rounds.

Minnesota Vikings receiver Jalen Nailor. — Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) reacts during the first quarter after a catch against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

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