Vikings Justin Jefferson says he will be the NFL’s best receiver in 2022
The general consensus within the NFL has been that wide receivers Davante Adams or DeAndre Hopkins are considered the #1 receiver in the league. Another up-and-coming pass catcher claims he will be the best at the end of the 2022 season.
The Minnesota Vikings have a star in the making on their roster and that individual is very well aware of his success. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson sat down with Kameron Hay from “Complex” and laid it all out there.
Jefferson had a fantastic season in 2021 producing 1,616 receiving yards (ranked 2nd), scored 10 touchdowns (ranked 6th-tie), and hauled in 108 receptions (ranked 4th). While that is a fantastic accomplishment in itself Jefferson is striving for greater things:
"“I’m just trying to be up with those greats, trying to be next to them in the Hall of Fame,” Jefferson says. “ I didn’t expect to be on top of the league this soon, but all of the hard work I’ve done and all of the things that I’ve sacrificed in my career and in my life to make myself this type of player, it’s definitely a blessing to have all of these things come to me so soon.”"
Jefferson was a pleasant surprise for the Vikings who were already armed with wide receiver Adam Thielen and star running back Dalvin Cook.
As a rookie, Jefferson was credited with 1400 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, a feat you don’t often see in a receiver’s debut season in the NFL.
What makes this even more special is that four receivers were selected in the 1st round of the 2020 NFL Draft ahead of Jefferson who was picked at #22.
- Henry Ruggs III- Las Vegas Raiders-12th
- Jerry Jeudy- Denver Broncos- 15th
- Ceedee Lamb- Dallas Cowboys- 17th
- Jalen Reagor- Philadelphia Eagles- 21st
None of these receivers have reached Jefferson’s level of success, perhaps Ceedee Lamb being the closest after Jefferson as far as production.
Jerry Jeudy is next up, possibly heading towards a higher output with Russell Wilson as his quarterback, Reagor is plummeting down the Eagles depth chart and Ruggs is no longer in the NFL.
Jefferson credits his success to his work ethic and self-improvement, and knows he has a chance for even great triumphs with his new offensive-minded head coach;
"I’m always working on route running, always can work on catching the ball, so just trying to better my craft at all of those different categories. And with this new offense with Coach [Kevin] O’Connell, all of us are excited about this new playbook and hopefully we have a better season this year."
Jefferson should be excited as expectations are rising for the Vikings with the recent departure of Packer’s star wide receiver Davante Adams.
The Packers have been the “Kings in the North”, the NFC North that is, for the last three seasons. The Vikings have not taken the crown since 2017 and many believe this is their time with a weakened Packers offense.
While on the subject of Davante Adams, Jefferson agrees with the masses (and this author) that Davante Adams is the best receiver in the league. But Justin Jefferson also has his eye on Adams’ position…
"I’ll say after this year I’ll be the best receiver in the NFL. I definitely have to give it to Davante Adams as of now, him being so crazy and dynamic on the field. His route running is crazy, so I definitely have to give it to him right now, but I’m pretty sure after this year, it’s going to be me."
There are many similarities in both receivers, specifically that their receiving style isn’t necessarily based on speed but the technical application within their releases and route running.
Davante Adams still is a favorite to land as the top receiver in the league but betting on Justin Jefferson in 2022 might be a safe bet as well.