Vikings WR Justin Jefferson was so good as a rookie, it’s hard to believe that he fell to Minnesota at No. 22.
At the time, there was some concern over Jefferson’s route-running technique and how he would project beyond just a slot receiver role. Jefferson put those concerns to rest as a rookie, finishing with 1,400 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions.
It turned out well and the Vikings were rewarded for it in 2020. PFF’s Michael Renner tabbed the Jefferson pick as the best draft choice Minnesota has made in the last five years. Here’s what he wrote:
“Trading away a talent like Stefon Diggs only to find a cheaper replacement with comparable skill immediately is about as big a “W” as you can get in a pick-trade scenario. Jefferson was the second-highest-graded receiver in the NFL as a rookie.”
I think it’s safe to say opposing defenses will see Jefferson coming a little more than they did in his rookie year. That said, adding an extra weapon in the passing game could make Jefferson — and by extension, the offense — hard to stop in 2021.
