CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES
RANKING THE VIKINGS NEEDS
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN’S DRAFT TRADES
VIKINGS TARGETS
LUKE INMAN’S MOCK DRAFTS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL
FEATURES FROM OUR STAFF
JUSTIN JEFFERSON
HEIGHT/WEIGHT/AGE
6-foot-1
202 pounds
20 years old
BIG PICTURE
As part of the 2019 national champions, Justin Jefferson compiled a remarkable season working alongside the nation’s top yardage receiver Ja’Marr Chase and catching passes from likely No. 1 pick Joe Burrow. Jefferson operated from the slot and tied for the college football lead with 111 receptions while compiling 1,540 yards. He has a big frame and can move, though his pre-draft height measurements put him at 6-foot-1, as opposed to the 6-foot-3 he was listed at in college. The question around Jefferson is whether he benefited too much from playing with Burrow, Chase and the out-of-this-world LSU offense. His brother, Jordan Jefferson, was the former LSU quarterback.
COMBINE NOTABLES
4.43 40-yard dash
37.5-inch vertical
126-inch broad jump
VIKINGS’ COMPATIBILITY RANKING
4 out of 5. It’s tough to know if Jefferson falls into a dead zone for the Vikings, based on current projections. Odds are, he’ll be sitting there at 22 and 25, but would that be a stretch? By Pick 58, he’s probably gone, though. Minnesota may have to reach to take him, but if you get the right guy, who cares?
HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT DRAFT EXPERTS SAY
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: “A quarterback’s best friend, with the contested-catch focus and extreme ball skills to boost completion percentages. Jefferson failed to stand out as an outside target but saw his stock soar with a monster season from the slot. He has decent speed and separation talent, but he needs to improve as a route-runner, as he’s less likely to see the same freedom in space that LSU’s offense helped create for him. He’s slippery in space and able to stab and save throws with quick hands and fluid body adjustments. Teams looking for an inside/outside possession receiver with the size and savvy to make chain-moving catches could push Jefferson up the board.”
Benjamin Solak, Draft Network: “Justin Jefferson is a Day 2 candidate looking to add a consistent option from the slot. Jefferson is lacking in elite physical traits and must answer key questions about his ability to release off of tight coverage if he’s ever to grow out of his slot deployment. With that said, Jefferson has wicked quick and strong hands outside of his frame to address inaccurate balls over the middle of the field, and a quality separation profile given his fluid lower half, ability to modulate burst, and smart route-running approach. Jefferson is a low-ceiling player at the NFL level that is best suited to WR2/3 duties, but for a team looking to win with the quick game, he can be a high-volume target with added value on late downs or on RPOs. Jefferson’s lack of quality special-teams translation and average blocking profile may push him down the board for some teams, and his lack of versatility outside of the slot in Year 1 caps his early projection and draft stock.”
WHAT PFF SAYS
25 missed tackles forced (4th)
1,518 slot yards (1st)
7 drops (T-278th)
CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES
RANKING THE VIKINGS NEEDS
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN’S DRAFT TRADES
VIKINGS TARGETS
LUKE INMAN’S MOCK DRAFTS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL
FEATURES FROM OUR STAFF
