Viking’s Justin Jefferson, NFL’s Best WR in Year 2
Brett Peterson
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This may be a hot take, but I’m rolling with this prediction for 2021. Jefferson exploded onto the scene in 2021 and never looked back. The superstar rookie didn’t receive full playing time until week 3 of 2020, but that didn’t stop him from breaking all sorts of records.
- Jefferson broke Anquan Boldin’s record of 1,377 yards in a single season
- Also broke Randy Moss’ team record of 1,313 yards in a single season
- Broke the team rookie reception record, with 88 catches. Shattering Moss’ 70.
Jefferson also represented 32.8% of the Vikings’ receiving yards in 2020. That is an insane amount for a rookie, who didn’t start making an impact until week 3 vs the Titans. He also accounted for 21.9% of the teams yards from scrimmage, per ESPN. Jefferson’s impact is almost unheard, especially coming from a 21 year old rookie.
The Best in the Game
It’s hard to disagree that Justin Jefferson was a top five player at his position last year. He was constantly making big plays, taking tops off of defenses, and breaking records on a weekly basis. The second year pro has superstardom written all over him.
It may be a little premature to say he will be the best in the league entering year two, but I think it is entirely possible. Jefferson caught 88 passes for 1,400 yards last season, and again, that was with weeks 1 and 2 as the team’s third option at wide receiver. For the second half of the season, his targets grew week in and week out. He was out-targeting Adam Thielen on a regular basis. Now that Jefferson is in a full-time role, and a vital part of this offense, there’s no reason his numbers shouldn’t skyrocket from last season’s production. If his stats only slightly improve, it’ll still be good enough to compete with the top guys in the NFL.
Jefferson’s Competition
- Davante Adams- Adams is an elite wide receiver in an elite offense. For now. There’s a big question whether Aaron Rodgers is returning to Green Bay, and that could impact Adams’ production.
- DeAndre Hopkins- Hopkins has been a top-tier wide receiver in the NFL for a long time, and 2021 won’t be any different. But there is a lot of talent in that wide receiver room. AJ Green, Christian Kirk, Andy Isabella, and Rondale Moore will also be getting a good amount of targets in this offense.
- Stefon Diggs- I know Minnesota Vikings’ fans love this name! But in all honesty, Diggs is a beast. But it’s another example of a crowded WR room. Cole Beasley, Emmanuel Sanders, and Gabriel Davis are all good players who will be involved in the Bill’s offense in 2021.
- Tyreek Hill– Hill will always have big numbers in an explosive Kansas City Chiefs offense, but I think Jefferson’s game is better overall, and could lead to better numbers in 2021.
Stat Prediction for Jefferson
Jefferson is set to put up huge numbers in his second year in this offense. Klint Kubiak will very inclined to get Jefferson the football early and often. Adam Thielen is a great wide receiver to have lined up opposite of you, and Ihmir Smith-Marsette has the ability to take the top off of a defense. That will open up a lot of space for Jefferson to go to work and it can lead to a sizable inflation in his receiving numbers.
112 catches, 1,464 yards, and 10 touchdowns.