Jalen Reagor – PR/WR
Okay, maybe punt returner isn’t a starting position but Reagor shouldn’t just be given the role again in 2023. The reason why is that he did absolutely nothing with it. His punt return skills were the primary reason the Vikings went out and traded a conditional fourth-round pick for him and like his career as a receiver so far, it was a bust.
Reagor fielded 26 punts in 2022 for 167 yards. That averaged out to a measly 6.4 yards per return. His long was 25 yards and he did not once flip field position in a game by busting off a long one. He also had a couple of bobbled punts that nearly ended in disaster. His average yard per return ranked 45th in the NFL, and his total return yards were 22nd.
The Vikings gave up a 7th rounder and what will probably end up being a 5th-rounder to get this guy. They would’ve been better off just letting Jalen Nailor handle the duties and kept their selections.
Reagor will start the preseason as the team’s primary punt returner. That doesn’t mean he should keep it. The Vikings need to give Jalen Nailor a fair shake at winning the job and also have a rookie or two in the mix.