Vikings WR Justin Jefferson ranked among rookies most likely to make an instant impact

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson was high up on USA TODAY’s list of players who could make an instant impact in the rookie class.

USA TODAY compiled a list of the top rookies that the outlet thinks can make an immediate impact. Vikings draftee Justin Jefferson was high up on the list.

The former LSU wide receiver, who won a national championship with the Tigers in 2019, was ranked fourth among rookies in terms of his ability to make an instant impact.

Here’s what the outlet said about the choice:

“He was Burrow’s highly productive (111 catches for 1,540 yards and 18 TDs in 2019) 1A option at LSU behind Biletnikoff Award winner Ja’Marr Chase. Jefferson could seamlessly assume a similar sidekick role to Adam Thielen in Minnesota. Catching 100+ balls as a rookie may not be realistic – the man Jefferson replaces, Stefon Diggs, only topped the century mark once – but he can surely do extensive damage from the slot with little fear of being double covered given the attention Thielen and RB Dalvin Cook command.”

If Jefferson makes an instant impact, then the Vikings offense might not lose too much of Diggs’ production.