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We know that the Minnesota Vikings got the best wide receiver in the 2020 rookie class when they managed to steal Justin Jefferson at the 22nd overall pick. He should probably be the Offensive Rookie of the Year this season, but there’s plenty of football to be played before we can make that determination.
However, one thing that has already been determined is Jefferson’s spot in the record books in a couple of impressive ways following his 9-catch, 121-yard performance in Sunday’s victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
First, today’s performance gave Jefferson his fifth 100-yard performance of the season. This sets a brand new record for Vikings’ rookies, eclipsing the four 100-yard games that Randy Moss had in his spectacular rookie season of 1998.
With his performance today, he also became just the fifth player in the history of the NFL to go over 1,000 yards in the first 12 games of his NFL career. Moss was the first to do it in 1998, and since then has been joined by Anquan Boldin, Marques Colston, Odell Beckham Jr., and now Jefferson.
With his performance this week, Jefferson is now up to 61 catches for 1,039 yards and seven touchdown receptions. He could very well end up having the greatest season of any rookie wideout in Vikings’ history. The measuring stick remains Moss’ 1998 season where he caught 69 passes for 1,313 yards and 17 touchdowns for what was then the highest-scoring offense in NFL history.
Jefferson isn’t going to catch Moss’ touchdown catch total from that season, but barring injury he’ll certainly pass him in both receptions and yardage. And we’re lucky enough to get to see all of it.
Ain’t that somethin’?