Look at These Justin Jefferson Numbers
Dustin Baker
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Look at These Justin Jefferson Numbers
When the last chronicle of Justin Jefferson’s rookie pace was authored, he and Dalvin Cook respectively were among the team’s very few high points of the Minnesota Vikings 2020 season. Now, the team is 5-6 after rattling off four wins in five games following their Week 7 bye. Instead of solely exalting Jefferson’s numbers as a source of interest, the Vikings are in the NFC playoff hunt. Indeed, the team probably needs a 3-2 performance the rest of the way from the Arizona Cardinals, but that is not entirely far-fetched.
Jefferson’s numbers remain incredibly noteworthy. Last week against the Carolina Panthers, Minnesota was sans the services of Adam Thielen who may or may not have been battling the coronavirus. Thielen has been mum on whether he actually had the respiratory ailment. But he is entitled to his privacy.
The Panthers could not stop Thielen’s buddies. Four players had seven receptions apiece while Jefferson and Chad Beebe supplied the pay dirt. Pundits and fans wanted to see if Jefferson “could do anything” without Thielen on the field because it was theorized the 21-year-old would experience bees-to-honey double coverage. Jefferson silenced the naysayers with a two-touchdown afternoon. More importantly, the Vikings topped the Panthers in an emotionally-draining affair. Both teams encountered miscues that ordinarily would serve as game-enders. But not in 2020. It’s all fair game.
Let’s peek at Jefferson’s current pace(s) for his maiden voyage in the NFL.
Most Receiving Yards by 21-Year-Old in NFL History
Here’s a saucy one: Garrett Bradbury was the Vikings first draft selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. Justin Jefferson was the Vikings first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft – one year apart for Bradbury and Jefferson. The two men are close in age, correct? Not really. Justin Jefferson is four years younger than Garrett Bradbury. In NFL experience-speak, only one year separates the players. On birth certificates, Jefferson is four years Bradbury’s junior. Consider that when examining the long-term impact of both players for the Vikings.
Jefferson is 21 years-old. Through 11 games to begin an NFL career, no 21-year-old in history has tabulated more yards than Jefferson. His 918 receiving yards in 2020 outpace Mike Evans, who had 890 yards at this point in 2014 (his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
Therefore, the Vikings rookie is outperforming the greats – all of them. Larry Fitzgerald, DeAndre Hopkins, Steve Largent, you name it. These three wide receivers began their careers at age 21 and none of them tallied more receiving yards thru 11 games than Jefferson.
3rd Most Yards by a Rookie Ever
If you believe that the 21-year-old metric is cheap, glance at the overall rookie numbers regardless of age. You’ll be amazed.
Jefferson is, hands down, having the third-best receiving season via yards in NFL history. Only Odell Beckham (1,120 yards in his first 11 games) and Anquan Bolin (999 yards in his first 11 games) are exceeding Jefferson’s pace. It should be noted that Boldin’s is particularly impressive as his rookie campaign occurred in 2003, a time when the NFL’s passing explosion had yet to detonate.
The 918 yards Jefferson has accrued is herculean. There is simply no way to downplay his youthful production. On the contrary, it should be especially championed. Why? The Vikings do not throw the football too much when compared to other teams in 2020. Minnesota ranks 28th in the NFL in pass attempts per game.
Here is the takeaway or soundbite: Justin Jefferson has the third-most receiving yards in NFL history by a rookie player thru 11 games – on a team that ranks 4th-to-last in passing attempts. Put that on your Twitter timelines. You can hash-tag ‘efficiency.’
More Than Randy Moss
This is where emotions run high. Some believe it is sacrilege to compare anybody to Randy Moss.
At this point in 1998 (through 11 games), Moss registered 851 receiving yards. For 1998, that was unholy. It would be considered unholy today, too. Moss obviously did his damage in the mold of an acrobat – which nobody has done since or even really did before him. Moss was sitting on big games, 12 and 13, of that season. You might remember them – at Dallas on Thanksgiving and the Bears after that. He caught six touchdowns altogether in those two contests. Ergo, Jefferson has mighty cleats to fill, but we all know that.
Overall, Jefferson has a 67-yard cushion for Moss’ pace. One quiet game will throw him off-kilter if hanging with Moss is the goal. For now, though, Jefferson’s first year is another chapter in the Vikings history of storied offensive rookies that includes Moss, Adrian Peterson, and Percy Harvin.