PFF Puts Justin Jefferson at the Top of the Mountain among NFL Wide Receivers
The 2023 season was derailed a bit by injury for Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson.
The 2020 first-round pick missed a total of seven games during the year because of a hamstring injury, but even still, he totaled 68 receptions for 1074 yards and five touchdowns. This production was apparently enough for Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus to rank Jefferson as the No. 1 receiver in the NFL.
PFF Lists Justin Jefferson as the Best Wide Receiver in the NFL
Earlier this week, Monson put together a ranking of the top 32 wide receivers in the NFL with Jefferson at the very top of the list.
“Justin Jefferson remains the best receiver in the NFL. Injury cost him much of 2023, but in 10 games, he still cleared 1,000 yards and averaged 2.91 yards per route run. Now, he has to do it with a new quarterback after Kirk Cousins departed for Atlanta,” Monson wrote of the Vikings star.
Through Jefferson’s first four NFL seasons, he has totaled 392 receptions for 5899 yards and 30 touchdowns. Through a player’s first four seasons in NFL history, Jefferson ranks fourth in total receptions, first in receiving yards, and tied for 45th in receiving touchdowns.
With the Vikings set to start either Sam Darnold or rookie J.J. McCarthy at quarterback this fall following the free agency departure of Kirk Cousins, Jefferson will play a huge role in ensuring the transition to one of the two new QBs is a smooth one.
However, Jefferson has been sitting out of OTAs this week as he continues to negotiate a long-term contract with the Vikings.
Notably, there are also three rookie receivers on the list as well. Marvin Harrison Jr., who was drafted fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in April, came in at No. 21 while Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze were 25th and 29th, respectively.
No. 32 on the list was Tee Higgins, who is currently in the midst of a trade request in Cincinnati after he was franchise tagged this spring without a new contract extension in order.
Jordan Addison, who put together 70 receptions for 911 yards and 10 TDs during his rookie season of 2023, did not make the list.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference and Stathead.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.