Vikings: Justin Jefferson is a top-5 wide receiver
Justin Jefferson is 26 games into his NFL career, and he’s already a top-five wide receiver. Since 2020, he’s third in the league in receiving yards with 2,344.
Jefferson had an incredible collegiate career at Louisiana State University, where he and Joe Burrow connected for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns. After watching Jefferson destroy defensive backs every week, you knew that if the Minnesota Vikings could find a way to draft him, he’d be kicking serious ass every Sunday in purple and gold.
The Vikings selected him with the 22nd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he’s exceeded expectations.
Jefferson broke the NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie – previously set at 1,377 by Anquan Boldin. Jefferson finished with 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns.
That season he finished fourth in receiving yards, trailing only DeAndre Hopkins, Travis Kelce and Stefon Diggs. I think it’s safe to say that both the Buffalo Bills and Vikings are happy with the trade.
Expectations were higher this season, and he’s on track to surpass his rookie season total. In 10 games, he’s caught 63 passes for 944 yards and six touchdowns. Even with the extra game this year, he should hit 1,400 yards by Week 15.
At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Jefferson should be a bigger Red Zone target. This year he’s caught six touchdowns, which is already an improvement.
Minnesota targets Adam Thielen in the Red Zone and Jefferson on big-plays.
Who would have thought the Vikings would have the best receiving core in the NFL?
According to Pro Football Focus, Jefferson has the sixth-best grade at 86.1.
In the biggest game of the season, the former LSU standout destroyed the Green Bay Packers. He finished with 169 yards and two touchdowns. Nothing is better than watching Cheese Heads get all mad about a supposed push-off on Jefferson’s final touchdown.
You lost, get over it.
The Vikings made it clear that they need to target Jefferson more after the loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9. Since then, he has 312 yards and two touchdowns on 21 targets. Elite.
If Minnesota continues to feed him the ball, they’ll become one of the best offenses in football. Who’s stopping Dalvin Cook, Thielen or Jefferson? No one. The Vikings have offensive weapons, and it’s time to recognize that Jefferson has become a top-5 receiver in the NFL.
