Vikings' Justin Jefferson predicts he'll be the NFL's best wide receiver 'after this year'
Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings has already established himself as one of the premier young wide receivers in the NFL in just two years of play. In his opinion, he’ll need just one more to take over as the league’s best.
Jefferson recently sat down for an interview with Complex, where the conversation eventually turned to where he ranks among the league's elite pass-catchers.
“I’ll say after this year I’ll be the best receiver in the NFL,” said Jefferson.
When he entered the league, he set an NFL rookie record for receiving yards (broken by former LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase in 2021). Then this past year, Jefferson passed Odell Beckham Jr. for the most receiving yards by a player in his first two seasons.
With 1,616 receiving yards in 2021, Jefferson finished 16 shy of the franchise record set by Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss in 2003.
Since Jefferson has yet to claim the title of league’s best receiver in his eyes, he's set his sights on overtaking the Las Vegas Raiders’ Davante Adams. The two-time first team All-Pro played in Jefferson’s division as a member of the Green Bay Packers until he was traded this offseason.
“I definitely have to give it to Davante Adams as of now, him being so crazy and dynamic on the field,” Jefferson said. “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.”
Despite the impressive output in Jefferson’s first two years, he still believes he has more to prove before he takes over.
“I think I have to do it three years in a row for everybody to believe so,” said Jefferson. ”Some people don’t think that after two years you deserve to be at the top of the league. And then me, I feel like I’m going to surpass 1,600 yards too. So I think that I’ll become the best receiver after this year.”
If Jefferson were able to repeat that level of productivity, he would be in a league of his own. Jefferson, 23, is just one of four receivers with a 1,600-yard season before the age of 25. Of the three who share that accomplishment — Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, and Josh Gordon — none was able to put up multiple 1,600-yard seasons before 25, let alone in back-to-back years.