During his two seasons as a starter for the LSU Tigers, Justin Jefferson was one of the more productive receivers in all of college football. During his junior campaign, he and Joe Burrow were quite a pair as they helped lead LSU to a national championship and a perfect 15-0 campaign in 2019. He finished third in the nation with 1,540 yards and second on the team to Ja’Marr Chase.
Heading into the NFL, he was selected by the Minnesota Vikings who traded away their top pass catcher in Stephon Diggs. No one could foresee just how much of an impact the rookie receiver would make.
According to Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield, Jefferson is the No. 8 outside receiver in the league. Quite an accomplishment after just one season catching passes from Kirk Cousins in Minneapolis.
In the run-up to the 2020 NFL draft, there were some who looked at LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson and questioned his value in the first round. Why? Because the LSU Tigers used him almost exclusively out of the slot in his final year in college, with tremendous results. But is a slot receiver worthy of a first round pick?
Absolutely, when he also has the ability to play on the outside, as some argued.
Jefferson had a huge rookie season, catching 88 passes for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns. Those receiving yards set a record for rookie WRs, and he was also named to a Pro Bowl for his efforts. As you’ll see in these videos, Jefferson is already among the game’s best thanks to his combination of footwork, releases and concentration. – Schofield
Justin Jefferson, a bright spot in Minnesota.
*Scheme fit matters for wide receivers too
*Crossing routes versus zone
*Footwork and angles on the slot-fade
*Getting defenders to do something they shouldn't pic.twitter.com/PZV2PkVfxM— Mark Schofield (@MarkSchofield) October 20, 2020
A quick look at Justin Jefferson:
*Over route off play-action? Like we expected
*On the boundary against press alignment? Hmmm…
*Adjustments in the vertical passing game pic.twitter.com/2acgAT8Xfj— Mark Schofield (@MarkSchofield) September 28, 2020
Three Cousins throws, three Jefferson catches.
*Bucket throws and vertical releases
*Jefferson's change-of-direction skills (h/t @BradKelly17)
*Changing the pattern as a play-caller pic.twitter.com/L4H7slknEL— Mark Schofield (@MarkSchofield) December 8, 2020
Heading into year two of his NFL career, Jefferson is looking to build upon the impressive rookie campaign. He joined fellow teammate Adam Thielan as two of the best outside receivers in the league. Can the duo bring Minnesota back to the top of the NFC North in 2021?