Justin Jefferson Was Almost Traded On Draft Day
Crazy things can happen on the day of the NFL Draft. Sometimes, crazy things can almost happen as well. According to Charley Walters of the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, the Minnesota Vikings nearly pulled the trigger on a Justin Jefferson trade during the draft, but drafted Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy instead.
According to Walters, "There was buzz at the draft time that the Vikings wanted to move up from No. 11 to No. 5, not to pick a quarterback, but to get LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, who was picked No. 6 by the Giants. Had that trade occured, Jefferson would have been traded and Nabers would have been the No. 1 receiver."
Walters did not speculate who the Vikings potential trade partners might be or what the return would be. He also did not mention if they would still look to draft a quarterback later in the draft if they pulled off the trade. In the coming days, it is likely more of the story will come to light, and there will be no doubt, wild speculation on what could have been.
Jefferson did not report for the team's OTA's this past week, and it's possible he won't report to training camp either, unless the Vikings give him a massive extension. Maybe the team will move him still, or maybe they want to do all they can to keep him, so their rookie quarterback will have the same kind of weapons Caleb Williams has in Chicago.
How The NFL Landscape Could Have Changed
A trade not only would have changed the Vikings, but would have changed the entire NFL landscape. Whatever team he went to would benefit from his talent, and every team they played would suffer from it. Catching passes from an elite quarterback, while playing for a contender could solidify championships and a yellow jacket in Canton for JJ.
The favorite landing spot for 2022's leading receiver (both in receptions and in yards) is the Kansas City Chiefs. They feature the league's best quarterback, and outside of Travis Kelce, they don't have a true number one receiver. Kadarius Toney didn't pan out, Rashee Rice may end up in jail, and Xavier Worthy is a fast tootpick with an unrefined route tree.
Tee Higgins is still holding out in Cincinatti, and refusing to sign the franchise tag. Joe Burrow is due for a healthy season in 2024, since last year ended with an in jury. Bringing the Baton Rouge gang back together by reuniting Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase with Jefferson would make the Bengals an AFC championship team. Burrow is Mahomes' kryptonite, and giving him Jefferson to throw to, would only make him more potent.
A dark horse suitor would be the Arizona Cardinals. Kyler Murray looked good once he shook off the rust last season, and the team already drafted Ohio State phenom Marvin Harrison Jr. They are determined to build a winning team around their cannon-armed quarterback, and putting Jefferson opposite Harrison in that ofense could mean the crowning of a new NFC West division winner.
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