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Minnesota Vikings: 5 Bold predictions for the 2020 season

By Mitchell Hansen

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 05: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with Adam Thielen #19 after defeating the New Orleans Saints 26-20 during overtime in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 05: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with Adam Thielen #19 after defeating the New Orleans Saints 26-20 during overtime in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

4. Jefferson will have a big rookie season alongside Thielen

Minnesota is entering somewhat of a new era of personnel among the wide receiver group in 2020, although the Vikings will still have Pro Bowl wide receiver Adam Thielen taking the field throughout the season.

Over the last few seasons, Minnesota has held one of the top wide receiving units in the NFL headlined by wideouts Thielen and Stefon Diggs.

Earlier this offseason, however, that unit took somewhat of a hit when Diggs was traded to the Buffalo Bills leading into the NFL Draft. That leaves Thielen as the lone top target in the passing game on offense going into the new season in 2020.

With the Vikings looking to fill that void, rookie wideout Justin Jefferson will be a prime candidate to not only step up offensively and in the passing game, but he will end up being a nice compliment to go alongside Thielen and other receiving targets for quarterback Kirk Cousins during the year.

Jefferson, who was selected by Minnesota out of LSU in the opening round of April’s NFL Draft, will immediately give Cousins and the Vikings offense another target in the passing attack and provides the Vikings with an affordable piece on the outside of the field for at least the next few seasons.

During his three-year career at LSU, Jefferson wrapped up his time in college tallying career totals of 165 receptions for 2,415 yards and 24 touchdowns. In his senior season alone, he recorded 111 catches, 1,540 yards and 18 total touchdowns for the Tigers.

Jefferson is more of a slot receiver option that could counter the likes of Thielen within the Vikings offense. He has a big frame, is a great route-runner and can move all around the field, a few valuable assets for Minnesota to incorporate into things offensively.

Although he will be a rookie and is breaking into the NFL for the first time in 2020, the addition of Jefferson could be felt early and often and he will end up being a solid piece thrown into the mix alongside Thielen and company in the wide receiver group.

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