Justin Jefferson
Justin Jefferson is a star wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL. Entering his third season in 2022, Jefferson has already established himself as one of the top receivers in the league.
Jefferson was drafted 22nd overall by the Vikings in the 2020 NFL Draft out of LSU. As a rookie, he made an immediate impact catching 88 passes for 1,400 yards and 7 touchdowns. His 1,400 receiving yards set an NFL rookie record, breaking the previous mark held by Anquan Boldin. Jefferson was named to the Pro Bowl and earned AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
In his sophomore season in 2021, Jefferson continued to produce at an elite level. He caught 108 passes for 1,616 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jefferson's 1,616 receiving yards were the second most in a single season in NFL history, trailing only Calvin Johnson's 1,964 yards in 2012. Jefferson also became just the fourth player in NFL history with consecutive 1,400+ yard receiving seasons, joining Johnson, Julio Jones, and Torry Holt.
At just 23 years old, Jefferson has shown he has the potential to be one of the greatest receivers of all time. He is already 12th on the Vikings' all-time receiving yards list after only two seasons in the league. Jefferson's combination of speed, route running ability, and hands make him a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses. He runs precise routes and has a knack for finding holes in zones. Jefferson also shows toughness over the middle and is reliable with the ball in his hands.
Outside of his on-field production, Jefferson is also beloved by his teammates and coaches. He works extremely hard on his craft and is always looking for ways to improve. Jefferson stays late after practice to work on contested catches and his footwork. His competitive nature and drive to be great rub off positively on those around him. Jefferson is also humble and leads by example with his work ethic rather than being loud or brash.
Looking ahead to 2022, expectations are sky high for Jefferson as he aims to cement his status as the best receiver in football. If he can stay healthy, 2,000 yards receiving is certainly within reach. The Vikings will look to get Jefferson the ball even more after extending him with a five-year, $100 million contract prior to last season. As the clear number one option in Minnesota's offense, Jefferson will continue to put up video game numbers. As long as he stays committed to improvement, Jefferson has the talent and work ethic to dominate the NFL for years to come.