(Photo: Yardbarker)
9. Justin Jefferson– One player down, nine to go. Just a few weeks ago, I noted that the 2020 NFL Draft class is a memorable one. Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, and Jordan Love were all drafted that year and since then, all five of them have cashed in and received new contracts. Some other names such as Tristan Wirfs, CeeDee Lamb, Brandon Aiyuk, and Patrick Queen were also drafted. Then, there was a kid from Louisiana State University that fell to the Minnesota Vikings and the rest is history. He made his debut last year and checked in as my number-two player. He’s back and deservedly so. Justin Jefferson returns as my second-ranked Wide Receiver and checks in at number nine.
Where do I begin? I’ve followed him closely since his days with the LSU Tigers. He was a key piece to a National Title winning team that also included Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Just imagine being a Defensive Coordinator or a Defensive Backs coach knowing you have to prepare to face two stud Wide Receivers. Since coming into the NFL, Justin has become a superstar and made a nice name for himself. In his rookie year, he became that guy you built the offense around and finished his rookie season with 1,400 yards receiving. Justin is so fluid and smooth when it comes to his route running. When he’s on the field, he knows how to position himself to get open. He can get away from a Defensive Back, then he’s wide-open. No matter where Justin is lined up, he moves with that same consistency whether it’s in the slot or out wide on the perimeter. Justin knows how to create space which has set him apart from many other receivers in the game. There isn’t a route he can’t run or a pass he can’t catch in my eyes. He can turn the drag route into a large chunk play or the deep routes he runs taking the top off the coverage and he’s in the end zone for six. Justin moves so well in space with the ball in his hands. You could play the best coverage imaginable on him, he finds a way to get his and still makes a defense pay. He has the vision, shiftiness, and footwork all in one. What else could you ask for in a number one receiver?
Each year since coming into the NFL, Justin has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards. What made last season so special was he missed seven games with a hamstring issue and still recorded 1,000 yards for the year, 1,074 to be exact. He also recorded that without his primary Quarterback. He signed an extension in June and deserved every penny. He has become the face of the Vikings by far and will be for the foreseeable future.
