The Viking Age
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6 biggest battles heading into Vikings 2022 training camp

By Adam Carlson

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 09: Ihmir Smith-Marsette #15 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 09: Ihmir Smith-Marsette #15 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) Ihmir Smith-Marsette /

Wide Receiver #4

  • Ihmir Smith-Marsette vs. Bisi Johnson vs. Jalen Nailor

Let’s be honest here. If Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen are healthy, there’s no competition for the top two spots on the wide receiver depth chart for the Minnesota Vikings. Plus, it seems like K.J. Osborn has done enough to secure that third receiver role. But past that, the order is questionable.

Last year, it was Ihmir Smith-Marsette who was in that role. He played in eight games last season while starting one and caught five passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns. However, he may have been a placeholder.

Bisi Johnson was the third wide receiver in 2020 and played all 16 games, starting three. He caught 14 passes for 189 yards in that time but missed all of 2021 with an ACL tear he suffered in practice.

Normally, those two would be the only ones in this competition, but it’s hard to ignore the qualities that Jalen Nailor has to offer. Nicknamed “Speedy” for his obvious reasons, the sixth-round pick of the Vikings seemed to be a target during the 2022 NFL Draft and that could mean good things for him going forward.

Smith-Marsette should be the favorite to win the job but don’t count out a big challenge from Johnson. These two will probably split reps all throughout camp and the preseason with those results determining the winner as Nailor continues to grow and adjust to the NFL.

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