While Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson hasn’t experienced playing in the NFL postseason, he has already proven that he is one of the game’s best.
He had 1,400 yards in his rookie season to break Anquan Boldin‘s single-season record for receiving yards by a rookie.
While Ja’Marr Chase already broke his former LSU teammate’s mark, Jefferson raised the stakes in his sophomore year.
He played all 17 games and finished with 108 receptions, 1,616 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
Jefferson became a Pro Bowler in his first two seasons, joining Randy Moss and Sammy White as the only Vikings players to achieve that feat.
His receiving yards last season were just 16 yards shy of Moss’ single-season franchise record.
He is also a two-time Second-Team All-Pro, missing the 2021 First-Team by just one vote.
These accomplishments make him a marked man, especially to defensive backs.
It would be their crowning glory to limit Jefferson to less than 100 yards and no touchdown receptions when they cover him.
That said, his third season in the NFL might be his toughest because Jefferson will face a grueling slate of cornerbacks.
Justin Jefferson has some tough matchups next season 🍿 pic.twitter.com/GfgVXrKl9l
— PFF (@PFF) May 17, 2022
Jefferson Goes Through A Challenging Secondary Gauntlet
Pro Football Focus revealed the defensive players that will cover him for nine of the Vikings’ 17 regular season games.
He will face All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander twice because the Green Bay Packers are their NFC North rivals.
Then, he will have to deal with Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay in Week 2.
Jefferson gets the New Orleans Saints’ Marshon Lattimore in Week 4 and the Miami Dolphins’ Xavien Howard in Week 6.
He must also win the challenge offered by Tre’Davious White, Trevon Diggs, and former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore.
Finally, he will have a showdown with Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, the New York Jets’ first-round pick in this year’s draft.
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