Raiders Day 3 Wide Receiver Option No. 1 – Jalen Nailor, Michigan State
The Raiders could use a speedy, shrewd route runner who possesses an excellent football IQ. His NFL Combine performance certainly helped his draft stock: a 4.50 time in his 40-yard dash, a 38-inch vertical jump, and a 128-inch broad jump.
At six feet and a few pounds shy of 200, Nailor isn’t the biggest receiver in this class but makes up for it with his intangibles. The most notable of these is his ability to consistently get open deep down the field, which will serve him well with the Raiders.
With his exceptional on-field awareness and hands that measure just over nine inches, Nailor has ample separation to make big plays. He’s reliable and showed in college that he’s not afraid of going up to grab those contested passes. With time, Nailor could develop into a vertical threat for the Raiders.
Retaining the ability to accelerate at a moment’s notice, combined with precise route-running, Nailor has the right traits to make the NFL transition under the right tutelage.