The Minnesota Vikings are set to begin the 2025 NFL season without one of their top two wide receivers.
The NFL announced Tuesday it had suspended Jordan Addison for the first three games of the season for violating the league’s Substances of Abuse Policy. The suspension stems from a 2024 incident during which Addison was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Addison’s absence will create a temporary void in Minnesota’s receiving corps opposite Justin Jefferson. Here’s a look at the most likely candidates from the Vikings’ wide receiver depth chart that could fill that hole.
Who is Jordan Addison’s backup?
Jalen Nailor may not be Addison’s true backup, but the Vikings’ No. 3 receiver figures to see the largest increase in opportunities with Addison out of the lineup.
Addison missed two games during the 2024 NFL season in Weeks 2 and 3 while dealing with an ankle injury. In those contests, Nailor played 104 of a possible 117 snaps while logging a combined six catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns.
Logging similar production would give Nailor flex appeal across fantasy football formats. That said, it’s worth wondering whether his ceiling will be capped if the Vikings try to ease first-year starter J.J. McCarthy into action as part of a run-heavy offense.
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Vikings WR depth chart
The Vikings haven’t released an unofficial depth chart ahead of their Week 1 preseason matchup with the Houston Texans. That said, their top three receivers are holdovers from the previous season, so the battle for roles and reps is likely to occur behind them.
Below is a look at the top-five projected receivers on Minnesota’s depth chart.
Justin Jefferson*
Jordan Addison*
Jalen Nailor*
Rondale Moore
Tai Felton
* Denotes starter.
Among the backups, Moore would figure to have the best chance to step into a larger role in Addison’s absence. The 25-year-old missed the entire 2024 NFL season due to a knee injury but logged a career-best 530 scrimmage yards during the 2023 season.
Felton – a 6-2, third-round rookie out of Maryland – could also see more playing time if the Vikings want a wide-out with more size than the 5-7 Moore.
The Vikings carried six receivers into Week 1 last season, so Addison’s suspension could allow another two of the team’s depth receivers to make the roster. In addition to the six listed above, Minnesota has practice squad holdovers Lucky Jackson, Jeshaun Jones and Thayer Thomas on its 90-man roster along with newcomers Silas Bolden, Dontae Fleming, Tim Jones, Robert Lewis and Myles Price.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vikings WR depth chart: Impacts of Jordan Addison suspension
