Why Justin Jefferson Will Be The Best WR In 2022
Justin Jefferson has quickly become a superstar after being drafted 22nd overall in the 2020 draft by the Minnesota Vikings. During his short tenure in purple in gold, he has already broken numerous franchise and NFL records. He also has earned the right to be known as the best WR in the NFL.
Inside the Numbers
As a rookie during the 2020 season, Justin Jefferson finished fourth in receiving yards in the NFL. Jefferson recorded 8 receptions for exactly 1,400 yards, which at the time was an NFL record for most receiving yards in a season by a rookie.
During his illustrious sophomore campaign, he recorded 108 receptions for over 1616 yards. Which was good enough for the second-most in the NFL, only trailing Rams WR Cooper Kupp.
Those is 3,016 receiving yards are the most by any NFL player over the past two seasons. Not only that but it is the most by any receiver during their first two years in the NFL. A record previously held by another former LSU WR, Odell Beckham Jr.
The most amazing part is that Jefferson was able to accomplish all of this while being only the 7th most targeted WR during that two-year span, according to Statmuse.
For those reasons, Justin Jefferson is beyond any reasonable doubt the best statistical WR in NFL since he stepped foot into the NFL.
Looking at the Competition
Two receivers that may argue are better than Justin Jefferson would be the previously mentioned Cooper Kupp and Davante Adams. While these players have maybe had more accomplished careers to this point, that does not indicate that they are better.
Cooper Kupp, 28, has been in the NFL since the 2017 season and he only has seasons where he the eclipsed 1,000-yard mark. Justin Jefferson who is five years younger than Kupp has already accomplished this feat twice, rather easily.
Sure, Cooper Kupp had one of the best statistical seasons of all time this past season, but his numbers would indicate a severe digression this next year.
As for Davante Adams, he has never had a 1,600+ like Jefferson did this past season. Additionally, Adams has had fewer yards in both seasons than Jefferson has been in the NFL.
Not to mention his age at 29, and the move to Las Vegas that will leave him without one of the best QBs of all time throwing to him (ugh). It seems like almost a given that Jefferson will continue to outperform him.
The Future is Bright
With new HC Kevin O’Connell’s school of thought on the offensive side of the ball, we are sure to see more involvement from Justin Jefferson in this year’s offense. Which fans were clamoring for last year.
If you don’t consider Justin Jefferson the best WR in the NFL at this moment, fine. But within the next two years, there is an extreme likelihood that he will be the consensus WR1 in the NFL.
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