It’s no secret that Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is the cream of the crop when it comes to the position. He recently inked a long-term deal to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. He topped 1,000 yards last season while missing a significant chunk of time due to injury. Jefferson has been a consistent star in the league, and the league has certainly taken notice.
ESPN has been polling executives, coaches, scouts, and other personnel to get their top 10 players at each position heading into the 2024 season. It should be no surprise who tops their list at wide receiver: Jefferson. For the second year in a row, the consensus is that Jefferson is the best the league has to offer at the position.
“He’s the best route runner in all of football in my opinion,” an NFL wide receivers coach said.
“Play speed. Constant production. Instincts. Elite hands. Do-it-all route runner,” a high-ranking personnel man with an NFL team said.
It’s truly impressive the production that Jefferson has been able to put up so far in his career. Even more remarkable is the circumstances under which he was able to perform last season. Getting 1,000 yards in 10 or fewer games is no small feat. It’s even more impressive when you consider the constant flux the quarterback situation was in during the second half of the season.
Some may be down on Jefferson heading into 2024 due to the prospect of having either Sam Darnold or rookie J.J. McCarthy throwing him the ball. But if last season showed us anything, it’s that Jefferson is the best wide receiver in the league, no matter who’s at the helm.