Justin Jefferson’s expectations for himself are way higher than yours
Already thriving, Justin Jefferson is looking well past 2020
For anyone not paying attention to the Minnesota Vikings, rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson is good. Fresh from the bayou swamps of LSU country, the budding pass-catcher has emerged as a future star in a short time this season.
Jefferson was drafted to become the replacement of Stefon Diggs, who the team traded to the Buffalo Bills this offseason for the No.22 overall pick. So far, mission accomplished as the 22-year-old target leads all rookies in receiving yards with 762 and currently is fourth in the league with average yards per catch at 18.1.
It’s not about how you start but rather how you finish in the NFL. For Jefferson, that finish will include him wearing a yellow jacket and having a bust placed in Canton, Ohio as forever a member of the Hall of Fame.
Jefferson: "My dream is to be a Hall of Famer, being one of the best receivers at this position. I’ve just got a long way to go. This is my first year, first couple games of my career. Just got to keep learning, just keep buying into the system."
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) November 19, 2020
Just how talented is Jefferson overall?
It was another stellar outing for Jefferson Monday night against the Chicago Bears’ secondary. Playing opposite of Adam Thielen, the former Tigers standout tallied eight catches for 135 yards and averaged 16.8 yards per play. With that outing in the books, it becomes Jefferson’s third game with more than six catches and fourth outing with more than 100 receiving yards.
As a focal player in the LSU offense last season, Jefferson helped Joe Burrow become an overnight sensation as the team’s No.2 option. Even then, a majority of his stats would be considered top-tier worthy if it wasn’t for Ja’Marr Chase leading the charge to a Biletnikoff Award. Still, in his final season with Tigers, Jefferson finished with an FBS high 111 receptions, 1540 yards and 18 touchdowns.
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1328532048022302720
The Vikings might not have known what they were getting when trading away Diggs, but it seems they won’t have buyer’s remorse. So long as Kirk Cousins eventually targets him in the red zone, Jefferson’s end goal certainly is a possibility after just one season.
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