Justin Jefferson Named Best Wide Receiver by Peers
In sports, there is always an argument about who is the best. Whether team, player, or player by position, it’s what makes sports fascinating. Everyone has an opinion, and people have differing views on what constitutes being “the best.”
In the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings are fortunate to have a player widely considered the best at his position. That man is Justin Jefferson, and further weight was added to that argument, with Jefferson named best wide receiver by his peers.
Justin Jefferson Named Best Wide Receiver by Peers
Sunday Night Football on NBC asked the league’s wide receivers and defensive players to rank their top five wideouts. Jefferson landed on top of the pile in a star-studded group. Ranked as the best by the guys who play your position and the guys who have to defend you are the highest of praise.
Meteoric Rise
For Jefferson to be widely considered the best wide receiver in the league after just three seasons in the NFL is an incredible achievement. However, after amassing an incredible 4,825 receiving yards in that timeframe, it’s difficult for anyone to argue against.
The Viking is, by some distance, the youngest of the five players named in the top 5, at 23 years old. AJ Brown (25) is the closest in age and has only played in the league one more season than Jefferson. Tyreek Hill (28), Stefon Diggs (29), and Davante Adams (30) are considerably more experienced. Surpassing these three in the eyes of the majority is remarkable.
He has done it breaking records all the way, including the NFL rookie receiving yards record and surpassing the legendary Randy Moss’ Vikings receiving yards record. Jefferson looked in good position to break the league receiving yards record but ultimately fell short. With a total of 1,809 receiving yards in the 2022 regular season, Jefferson had the sixth-biggest season in NFL history.
Face of the Franchise
A stat machine, Jefferson makes highlight plays and does it with a smile. He has an infectious personality and is already the face of the franchise in Minnesota. The Vikings will always be in the public eye with Jefferson on the team. He is a dream for the media, and that is important in the modern, business-focused NFL. All eyes are on an expected contract extension, which should happen this year and make Jefferson one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the league.
Jefferson consistently backs that up with elite performance on the field. He was named first-team All-Pro in 2022 after being second-team All-Pro in his first two seasons in the league. Jefferson is the perfect player for a franchise, and the Vikings are lucky to have him. He’s currently at his third straight Pro Bowl doing outrageous things.
How long will Jefferson stay at the top of the pile? There’s more to come from Jefferson, and the 2,000-yard season is within his reach. However, new wide receivers will always be gunning to take his place. Jefferson will be among the league’s best at his position for a number of years.
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