USAT: Packers Wire audio clip

USAT: Packers Wire

Feb 25, 2022

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft. - The Green Bay Packers could be losing their big-play threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling to free agency this offseason. - It was clear that the Packers missed Valdes-Scantling’s speed and big-play ability on offense this past season. Due to injuries, the man they call MVS played in just seven games. - A year removed from averaging 20.9 yards per catch, the Packers missed that world-class speed that helped open things up underneath for his teammates. - With Valdes-Scantling possibly out the door, the Packers will need to find a new big-play threat this offseason. - A player that Brian Gutekunst could potentially target on day three is Jalen Nailor. The Michigan State wide receiver checks in at No. 60 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown. - In 2018, the Nevada native scored one rushing touchdown and two receiving touchdowns for the Spartans. The following season, Nailor played in just four games due to injury. - The following season Nailor finished with 26 receptions for 515 yards and four touchdowns. He led the Big 10 in yards per reception (19.8) and had four receptions of 50-plus yards. - This past season Nailor missed four games due to injury. He finished with 37 receptions for 695 yards and six touchdowns. - “Jalen Nailor was a key contributor this season for a passing offense that averaged 253.7 yards per game,” Ryan O’Bleness a contributor for The Only Colors said. “Nailor would have put up better numbers, but he missed four games due to a hand injury he suffered in the victory over Michigan. Still, his 18.8 yards per catch ranked second in the Big Ten and he also ranked in the top-10 in the conference in receiving yards per game (77.2) and touchdowns (six). Nailor earned All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition in 2021 and was named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week after recording five catches for 221 yards and three touchdowns (all of which were plays of 63 yards or more). He formed a dynamic one-two punch with Jayden Reed on the outside at wide receiver for the Spartans.” - Nailor’s greatest strength is his speed. His nickname is Speedy and that quickness will be on full display at the NFL Scouting Combine. - Nailor was a track star in high school. During his senior year, Nailor won the state title in the 100 and 200-meters. He was also a member of two relay teams that won state titles. - “His nickname is “Speedy” for a reason,” O’Bleness said. “He puts a lot of stress on the defense because he is a deep threat on every play. I expect him to run a very fast 40-yard dash time during the pre-draft process (whether that be at the NFL Combine, his pro day, or both). He also has fairly strong hands.  Nailor does a lot of things well and he is an exciting playmaker.” - Nailor has the speed to take the top off a defense. He’s a smooth accelerator and is able to hit his top speed in a blink of an eye. He stacks the cornerbacks and is able to get behind the defense. A big reason for his 19.3 yards per reception over the past two seasons. - He has quick feet and has a good release off the line of scrimmage to beat press coverage. The Michigan State wide receiver has fluid acceleration in his routes. Nailor does a good job of varying his speeds in his routes and does a great job of setting up double moves. - “Nailor is going to be strong on any vertical or “go” route due to his speed,” O’Bleness He’s also been lauded by his high school coaches for double-move routes, such as post-corners.” - Nailor has juice after the catch. He’s able to turn slants, screens, and crossers into big plays with his speed and elusiveness with the ball in his hands. The Michigan State wide receiver is able to hit another gear in the open field to run away from defenders. - - Jalen "Speedy" Nailor. pic.twitter.com/68rMAVFMff - — Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) February 24, 2022 - - - “Once the ball is in his hands, he can make things happen, and if he gets into the open field, there aren’t many players who can catch him because of his speed,” O’Bleness said. “But more than just his speed, he is shifty after the catch and can make defenders miss.” - Matt LaFleur and his staff love wide receivers that are good blockers out on the perimeter. Nailor works his tail off as a blocker and played a role in Kenneth Walker rushing for 1,646 yards and 18 touchdowns. - - No block, no rock. - Michigan State's Jalen Nailor is a big-play threat and a potential MVS replacement for the Packers. - But he's also a good blocker out on the perimeter. (Top of the screen). pic.twitter.com/ggFkQzCTOj - — Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) February 24, 2022 - - - “Michigan State has a saying for its wide receivers: “No block, no rock.”  What that means, essentially, is if you don’t block on running plays or when others get the ball in the passing game, don’t expect to have the ball thrown your way,” O’Bleness said. “Nailor, Reed, and the other wide receivers all bought into this and Nailor is a solid blocker. While Nailor certainly has room to improve here, especially against the strength of NFL defensive backs, he is a willing blocker and does whatever it takes to help his team win.” - Nailor will be dinged for his medical history. He missed games in three seasons for the Spartans and his medical checks at the combine will play a big role in his draft stock. - “The biggest question mark about Nailor is his durability,” O’Bleness said. “He isn’t the biggest wide receiver out there at 6-foot-even, 190 pounds, and he has a pretty long injury history. Nailor has never played more than nine games in a season. He was healthy for all of 2020, but Michigan State only played seven games that season due to COVID-19, and he missed time due to injury in 2018, 2019, and 2021 seasons. It will be interesting to see if NFL evaluators hold that against him or not come April.” -  Fit with the Packers - The old saying is speed kills and Nailor has speed for days. He’s an electric playmaker. He has special teams value as a return man. He also has the blocking chops that Green Bay’s coaching staff loves. -  He has all the tools to be the perfect replacement for Valdes-Scantling if the Packers are not able to re-sign the speed merchant. -  “Nailor has the kind of speed that defensive coordinators would need to prepare for and game plan against,” O’Bleness said. “Not only is he a constant deep threat to take it to the house on any given play, but he can also be used to clear out the defenders by making them go deep and open up crossers, slants, and other patterns underneath.” -  If Nailor were to end up in Green Bay, he could provide an immediate impact as a return man. Whatever he would provide on offense during his first year in the league would be gravy. - With his speed and toughness, Nailor has the traits to develop into a dynamic third wide receiver. - “He is a burner, a good teammate, and willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win,” O’Bleness said. “He’s a good character guy for your locker room. It’s unlikely Nailor will find immediate playing time in the NFL, but I would not be surprised to see him eventually work his way into a role with a team.” - - RelatedComplete list of Packers Wire's 'Unpacking Future Packers' draft preview series - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Packers Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Packers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

F i l t e r   &   S o r t 
Mar 18, 2022
Feb 18, 2022