4 Vikings who are already turning heads at OTAs in 2023

With the current absences of Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook, and Danielle Hunter at this year's Minnesota Vikings OTAs, a number of the team's younger players are getting some valuable practice reps, and they're making the most of them.

It's difficult to make precise evaluations during Vikings OTAs since players aren't wearing pads, and not all of the team's top guys from each position group are available or even in attendance.

But based on some of the reports that have come from the practice fields at the TCO Performance Center and some of the comments made by players and coaches, let's go over a few members of the Vikings that have been turning heads during the last two weeks, starting with a second-year wide receiver making the most of an increase in opportunities.

Jalen Nailor - WR

With Jefferson nowhere to be found and this year's top draft pick, Jordan Addison, sidelined with an undisclosed injury, second-year receiver Jalen Nailor has had a number of valuable chances to work with the first-team offense in team drills during Minnesota's OTA practice sessions this spring.

Nailor isn't a towering receiver at 6-feet tall, but he possesses an elite quickness out on the field that allows him to create separation from defenders. This was on display earlier this week when he caught a pass in the back corner of the end zone from Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins during a red zone drill.

The Athletic's Alec Lewis noted that Nailor also got a rushing attempt on an end-around during another sequence and he "exploded past the line of scrimmage."

As a rookie, the 24-year-old receiver appeared in 15 games for Minnesota last season, but the majority of his snaps came on special teams, as he only finished with nine catches for 179 yards and one touchdown.

However, seven of his nine receptions in 2022 came during the Vikings' final two games of the regular season, including a three-catch, 89-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17.

If Nailor continues to further his development this summer, he could end up getting a lot more valuable snaps in Minnesota's offense next season.