Justin Jefferson Not on the Radar of NFL’s Top CB
Justin Jefferson accrued the most yards by any human ever during the first two seasons of a career, but he isn’t quite on the radar of the NFL’s top cornerback yet.
That’s Jalen Ramsey, a corner from the Los Angeles Rams, a team that won the Super Bowl in February, toppling the Cincinnati Bengals in an entertaining contest. The Rams slapped together a roster of star-studded, Hollywood-like talent, mortgaged the future via draft capital, traded for Matthew Stafford, and voila — won a title.
This week, on The Pivot Podcast, Ramsey was asked to name the top wide receivers in the sport, and the 27-year-old listed all the top pass-catchers in the game — except for Justin Jefferson. Ramsey came up with these wideouts.
Inconspicuously, Jefferson wasn’t accounted for by Ramsey, so either Jefferson was innocently forgotten — or he isn’t quite in the elite tier yet per Ramsey’s estimation.
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Among all wide receivers in 2021, Jefferson graded as Pro Football Focus‘ fourth-best talent, trailing [in order] Cooper Kupp, Davante Adams, and Deebo Samuel — all players nominated by Ramsey in the graphic.
The divergence occurs with Tyreek Hill (who is still probably a reasonable choice as “better” than Jefferson at the moment), Stefon Diggs, and Odell Beckham. And, if it matters, the conversation gets dicey at Beckham and Diggs.
Obviously, Ramsey and Beckham were teammates for the Super Bowl run, making Beckham’s mention a warm-and-fuzzy no-brainer. But most general managers would likely take Jefferson over Beckham, given a choice. And then Diggs and Jefferson are close to equal for production amid the last two seasons. Of course, the two men were traded for “each other” in the spring of 2020 when Diggs infamously tweeted his way out of Minnesota (and might be doing the same in Buffalo all over again).
Overall, to gain national notoriety from All-Pro peers like Ramsey, Jefferson will need longevity — like the rest of the players on the list — and perhaps some playoff credibility. The Vikings haven’t reached the postseason on Jefferson’s watch. Each of Ramsey’s Top 6 participated in postseason football two months ago.
Jefferson enters his third year of employment with the Vikings next season, meaning mammoth contract extension talks are on the horizon in the next 1-2 years. He figures to command at least $30 million per season.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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