Justin Jefferson’s Latest Ranking Triggered Some Folks
In the final days of the offseason, just before the beginning of training camp and the usual NFL year, the time is right to drop rankings. ESPN does so daily and releases a top-ten list of 11 different positions. Kirk Cousins was an honorable mention, and Christian Darrisaw and T.J. Hockenson made their respective lists. Of course, so did Justin Jefferson, but one aspect of his ranking irked some.
Justin Jefferson’s Latest Ranking Triggered Some Folks
Jefferson is phenomenal, although there were some disrespectful moments in the last few weeks. Ex-NFL wideout Keyshawn Johnson snubbed the Offensive Player of the Year from his top five receiver rankings, and a Packers writer claimed Christian Watson has a higher ceiling.
The latest piece of disrespect comes from ESPN’s rankings, in which they ask real football people about the players: “As part of ESPN’s 2023 NFL season preview, we surveyed league executives, coaches, scouts and players to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 positions…”
Those folks should know much more about football than the average fan who watches a couple of games every week and then moves on with everyday life. But that theory doesn’t hold up; Jefferson is the latest evidence. Obviously, he ranks at the top spot. Most people agree. He is the best receiver in the league, and so does the majority of the rankers.
The list doesn’t provide much information, but it states that the wideout was fourth last year, his best ranking in the survey was first, and now the fascinating part, his lowest was seventh. A player shatters record after record, posts league-leading numbers in receiving yards and receptions, has a three-year track record of excellence that proves his longevity, wins Offensive Player of the Year, and is a unanimous first-team All-Pro is only seventh at his position. Something was totally off, and some people were irked by it.
One of the league’s top analysts, Mina Kimes, tweeted a picture showing Jefferson’s lowest ranking was the seventh spot and added: “I will not get triggered by rankings…I will not get triggered by rankings…I will not get trigge–I CHALLENGE THIS PERSON TO A DUEL”
The responses featured some funny claims. William Parker wrote: “Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson. I’ve got 3 players ahead of him without trying. These are career rankings, right?”
That would be a reasonable explanation, but sadly, it is not an all-time ranking. Others sensed a conspiracy of Packers employees who possibly put Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson at one and two.
PFF’s Sam Monson simply said: “SEVENTH???”
Marcus Mosher, a reporter for various outlets, also expressed disbelief: “Excuse me??? How could someone put Justin Jefferson at No. 7?!?!!”
The scary thing is, at the end of the day, it was someone who is either a decision-maker in the NFL, someone that is coaching folks, trying to evaluate prospects, or an NFL player with that opinion, not some random fan from a different team that watched Jefferson twice in the 2022 season without much football knowledge.
Fortunately, most people around the league recognize Jefferson’s impact and talent, as seen in the received awards in the last few months. The wideout recently made headlines because he drew a 99 overall rating in the next version of Madden. He is the record for the most receiving yards through three NFL seasons by a wide margin, has the most receiving yards before turning 24, and is the youngest player to ever lead the league in receiving yards and receptions.
The Vikings are fully expected to extend his contract on a new record-breaking deal.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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