Tag: Justin Jefferson

Every NFL team’s most impressive player in training camp

These players have lighting up training camp

The unofficial start to the NFL season kicked off with training camp last month, where all 32 teams returned to action in preparation for the 2022 season.

It’s been an eventful few weeks, filled with competitive position battles, brutal injuries and noteworthy performances.

Whether it’s rookies making an immediate impact or veterans dominating, training camp has brought out some standout performances around the league. While it’s important to temper expectations at this point of the year, it’s hard to ignore the impact some players have had this summer.

Our NFL Wire editors identified the most impressive player from each of the 32 NFL teams during training camp.

LSU among the top college football programs in terms of NFL snaps in 2021

A number of former Tigers are primed for big years in the league.

LSU has put a lot of talent in the NFL over the years. Even when it has struggled as a program, there’s been no shortage of Tigers alums playing on Sundays.

There aren’t many other programs that can say the same. According to @CFBNerds on Twitter, only Alabama had more players take professional snaps last season.

LSU was ranked slightly above Ohio State and well above programs like Georgia and Clemson. That number should grow this year after the team had 10 players selected in the 2022 NFL draft. Only the Bulldogs (15, a modern record) had more.

LSU’s group of professionals is currently headlined by [autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag] and [autotag]Ja’Marr Chase[/autotag] after they led the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance. [autotag]Tyrann Mathieu[/autotag] and [autotag]Jarvis Landry[/autotag] made some noise early this offseason, as well, as they returned to Louisiana to play for the Saints.

 

 

Players like [autotag]Justin Jefferson[/autotag] and [autotag]Devin White[/autotag] will look to keep making an impact with their respective teams, and lots of eyes will be on [autotag]Derek Stingley Jr.[/autotag] as he makes his debut with the Texans after being selected third overall.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

It’s always interesting to see how former Tigers fare on Sundays, and it should be another good year for LSU representation in the NFL.

[mm-video type=video id=01g9fex37z6gnbvpaqd2 playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g9fex37z6gnbvpaqd2/01g9fex37z6gnbvpaqd2-21895d01d154666aad37e62381374a77.jpg]

[listicle id=53442]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

2022 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings: who to pick once Cooper Kupp and Ja’Marr Chase are off the board

Ranking the top wide receivers in fantasy football.

Cooper Kupp had one of the more extraordinary seasons by a wide receiver in NFL history last year, and he might not be the best player at his position.

Young guys like Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase have emerged as as elite wideouts, and you also can’t forget about established vets like Mike Evans, Davante Adams and DeAndre Hopkins — who didn’t make this list because of the time he’ll miss from suspension.

This isn’t a PPR ranking, so the order came down to potential target share and touchdown scoring. The more opportunities guys have to rack up the yardage and score touchdowns, the better that is for your fantasy football team.

While you’re here, check out:

10 starters land on inactives list for Vikings vs Raiders preseason opener

Vikings rule 10 starters out for the preseason opener.

Sunday’s preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders marks the beginning of a new era for the Minnesota Vikings. But if fans are coming into this game thinking they’re going to get a sneak peak of what’s underneath the hood, they’ll be sadly disappointed.

With less than two hours to go before kickoff, the Vikings released their list of inactives for the game.

The list featured 10 prominent starters, including Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook, Patrick Peterson, Danielle Hunter, Za’Darius Smith, Harrison Smith, Eric Kendricks and Adam Thielen.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins was officially ruled out on Friday after testing positive for COVID-19, and tight end Irv Smith Jr. is still recovering from thumb surgery after suffering an injury during training camp.

The preseason opener will feature more of the backup quarterback battle between Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion. There should also be plenty of opportunities for the rookie defensive backs, Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr., to get in on some action as well.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyjpbajmjvnqmj player_id=none image=https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=65788]

Former Vikings QB has high praise for Justin Jefferson

Game recognizes game.

When the Minnesota Vikings traded Stefon Diggs in March of 2020, the expectation that they would get a player as good or better with that pick would have been very hard to believe. Luckily for them, they hit the jackpot.

Justin Jefferson has turned himself into an elite player for the Vikings and done so in record time. He and Adam Thielen have become one of the best wide receiver duos in the league.

When visiting training camp, former Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer, best known for having a Green Bay Packers urinal, had a massive compliment for the third-year player.

This is some incredibly high praise from Kramer. Carter, who played for the Vikings from 1985-1993, is best known for dominating the 1987 playoffs, including a 10-reception/227-yard performance against the San Francisco 49ers in a divisional round upset. Carter was an explosive weapon that could be utilized anywhere on the field.

Jefferson also fits that description, as he has dominated from both the slot and on the outside. If he continues on this path, he will exceed Carter’s success.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyjpbajmjvnqmj player_id=none image=https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=65701]

Patrick Peterson recalls crazy childhood prediction by Justin Jefferson

Jefferson’s bold prediction to Peterson as a kid ended up coming true.

It was nearly 12 years ago that Patrick Peterson was throwing passes to an 11-year-old kid in the parking lot of LSU’s Tiger Stadium, never knowing that kid would grow up one day to become his NFL teammate.

That kid was Minnesota Vikings All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson.

The big dreams have been apparent since day one for Jefferson, who made a prediction to Peterson during their throwing sessions.

“He was really good,” said Peterson, via the Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson. “I remember him telling me all the time he’s going to make these same catches that he was making in the … parking lot at (LSU’s) Tiger Stadium, that he did.”

Jefferson grew up to become an LSU Tiger, and he did everything he said he was going to do to Peterson in that parking lot.

He went on to become a Second-team All-SEC receiver, a national champion and the No. 22 overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft. And now, he’s arguably the best receiver in the league.

It’s crazy to think both Peterson and Jefferson could be on the trajectory towards Hall of Fame careers. The fact that a chance meeting would put the two of them in that LSU parking lot at that particular time is legendary.

[listicle id=65335]

Vikings barely miss top-half of USA TODAY’s power rankings

The Vikings barely miss the top-half of the rankings.

The regular season is right around the corner and the preseason kicks into full swing next week.

Predictions are coming in fast and furious from analysts and prognosticators from around the industry. Outside of the top-five teams, there are a lot of varied opinions.

USA TODAY’s Nate Davis released his latest power rankings on Friday, which had the Minnesota Vikings listed 17th in the league.

Davis wrote:

“Justin Jefferson is the only player in the league with at least 3,000 receiving yards since 2020. Might he push 5,000 over three campaigns as a centerpiece in new coach Kevin O’Connell’s pass-oriented attack?”

As Davis elaborates, what new head coach Kevin O’Connell brings to the offense will be the key. Can a shift in focus and play-calling help compensate for their defense?

Davis also had the division rival Green Bay Packers listed at fourth overall in the power rankings, citing quarterback Aaron Rodgers believing in his receiving corps to replace All-Pro wideout Davante Adams.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyjpbajmjvnqmj player_id=none image=https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=65335]

Cooper Kupp responds to Justin Jefferson saying he’s the better receiver

Kupp respectfully disagrees with Jefferson.

Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp isn’t buying Justin Jefferson’s claims of being the better receiver of the two.

Kupp lit the NFL world on fire last year with an MVP-caliber season after racking up 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. Even with his former offensive coordinator, Kevin O’Connell, joining the Minnesota Vikings, he still feels like he’s the superior player in comparison to Jefferson.

“I respect his opinion and I can also respectfully disagree,” Kupp said, via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith. “I would hope he would say that. I think that’s the beauty of this game. I think it speaks to the competitiveness of this league.

“If you’re not putting yourself as the best, and you’re not working to be the best, then I’d be concerned about stepping on the field with you, if you don’t feel like you’ve prepared to be the best player that you can be.”

When speaking with the Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson in late July, Jefferson called Kupp a good player, while also pointing out he was better.

“Coop is good, but I’ll say he’s behind me,” said Jefferson.

Both receivers will have an opportunity to go out there and prove it in the 2022 season.

Jefferson should be even more dangerous with O’Connell taking the reins of the offense. And it remains to be seen what the Rams offense will look like with him leaving.

Could Jefferson realistically eclipse 2,000 receiving yards with an offensive-minded head coach on the sideline?

Get your popcorn ready.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyjpbajmjvnqmj player_id=none image=https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=65526]

Cooper Kupp respectfully disagrees with Justin Jefferson ranking himself as the better WR

Justin Jefferson recently said he would rank himself ahead of Cooper Kupp among the best WRs, but Kupp respectfully disagrees

Cooper Kupp went from being a really good receiver to being one of the best in football last season after leading the league in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches. Yet, even after his historic season, some aren’t crowning him as WR1.

Justin Jefferson, for instance, recently put himself ahead of Kupp. “Coop is good, but I’ll say he’s behind me,” he said.

Kupp was asked about Jefferson’s opinion Wednesday and he was glad to see the Vikings wide receiver feel confident in himself, understanding why Jefferson said what he did.

“I would hope he would say that. I think that’s the beauty of this game. I think it speaks to the competitiveness of this league. If you’re not putting yourself as the best and you’re not working to be the best, then I’d be concerned about stepping on the field with you if you don’t feel like you’ve prepared to be the best player that you can be.”

But Kupp also disagrees with Jefferson’s assessment, respectfully.

“I respect his opinion and I can also respectfully disagree,” he said with a smile.

There’s no question Jefferson is one of the best receivers in the league today, posting 3,016 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns in his first two seasons. Kupp had the edge last season during his record-setting campaign, but we might see them rank as No. 1 and 2 in yardage this year.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby8n025panb709 player_id=none image=https://theramswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

LSU Football History: Top-10 single-season receiving leaders

Seven of the 10 best receiving seasons in program history have come since 2000.

For much of LSU’s history, its football identity centered around physical defense and a ground-and-pound rushing attack.

However, over the last few decades, we’ve seen the offense modernize to utilize more spread formations. With that in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that seven of the 10 best single-season receiving performances in program history have come since the turn of the century.

The Tigers have put all sorts of talented receivers into the league since then from [autotag]Early Doucet[/autotag] to [autotag]Dwayne Bowe[/autotag] to [autotag]Odell Beckham Jr.[/autotag] to [autotag]Jarvis Landry[/autotag] to [autotag]Justin Jefferson[/autotag] and, most recently, [autotag]Ja’Marr Chase[/autotag].

Here are the 10 best single-season receiving performances in LSU history.