Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
When the Minnesota Vikings traded Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills they had faith in the return. The first round pick turned into Justin Jefferson. Justin Jefferson has turned into one of the most dangerous wide receivers across the entire NFL.
Last offseason Justin Jefferson inked a contract extension with Minnesota that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. That has since been surpassed, and sources around the league told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler he’s not even the best at his position anymore.
NFL personnel drop Minnesota Vikings Justin Jefferson in rankings
Fowler has been polling league executives, coaches, and scouts to rank players at their positions each of the past six years. Last season Justin Jefferson was named the top wide receiver in football and he has never been lower than fourth. This time around Cincinnati Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase took his spot. Fowler outlined why.
“Chase got him this year, but Jefferson, a two-time champion in our rankings, should vie for the crown perennially. His early career brilliance stands alone, with an NFL-record 7,432 receiving yards through his first five seasons. His four seasons of at least 1,400 yards trails only Jerry Rice (six) and Julio Jones (five).
Jefferson’s pro football path is already an Apple Maps search from Minneapolis to Canton. Jefferson’s 34 career games of 100 or more yards leads all NFL receivers since 2020. And while Chase has a top-three passer targeting him, Jefferson has never played with a top-10 quarterback in Minnesota.”
Jeremy Fowler – ESPN
I can listen to the argument that Chase is the one wide receiver who may be better than Justin Jefferson. That doesn’t make it any less jarring when the suggestion actually gets traction.
Jefferson has posted at least 1,000 yards in all five of his professional seasons. That includes a 2023 in which he was injured and played in just 10 games. His 1,809 yards led the league in 2022, and his career 96.5 yards per game average is an all-time record.
.@JJettas2 CLUTCH.#ProBowlVote
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— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 22, 2024
This ranking is about the season that was and that upcoming though. Still, it’s hard to conclude that 1,533 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 90.2 yards per game are bad marks while Sam Darnold was the quarterback. Jefferson certainly helped to save the veteran quarterbacks career. Chase had the luxury of playing with Joe Burrow and still finished just slightly ahead of the MN Vikings wideout when looking at totals.
High praise still rolls in for MN Vikings Justin Jefferson
Although Chase finished ahead of Jefferson in the yearly rankings, it wasn’t as though respondents wanted to slight the Minnesota Vikings wideout. Jefferson is very clearly one of the best to ever step on the field, and that was highlighted as well.
“He’s the best route runner and probably has the best hands. The way he gets in and out of his breaks and uses his body to maneuver, it’s just really hard to get a handle on.” – Anonymous AFC executive
“No wonder why Aaron Rodgers wanted to play [in Minnesota]. He would get one of the best playcallers, he plays in a dome and he gets Jefferson.” – Anonymous AFC scout
When it comes to the talent shared between Chase and Jefferson it’s truly a tough spot to pick a clear winner. Chase is a year behind the Vikings wideout when it comes to NFL tenure, but he is staring at some of the same accomplishments and certainly looking to make up ground.
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It remains to be seen how good the quarterback play will be for Jefferson this season. Minnesota is breaking in 2024 first round pick J.J. McCarthy. If it goes according to plan, Jefferson will have a top quarterback for the first time, and his numbers will reach otherworldly status.
There is opportunity for the Vikings wideout to take back the stop spot. He can remind league personnel just how impactful he is when Minnesota kicks off their season against the Chicago Bears in September.
Mentioned in this article: Ja'Marr Chase Justin Jefferson More About:Minnesota Vikings