2020 NFL Draft Results: Minnesota Vikings select Justin Jefferson

With a lot of question marks behind Adam Thielen at the wide receiver position, the Minnesota Vikings are hoping that they’ve found one of the answers early on in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Justin Jefferson

Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

Date of Birth: 14 July 1996 (23 years old)

College: Louisiana State University

Drafted: Round 1, #22 overall

Height: 6’ 1”

Weight: 202 pounds

Career Accomplishments: Second-team All-SEC (2019)

Twitter handle: JJettas2

With the #22 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings have selected wide receiver Justin Jefferson from Louisiana State University.

Jefferson had an absolutely monstrous season for the Tigers in their National Championship season. He caught 111 passes on the year, which was the most in the country, accounting for 1,540 yards (third in the country) and 18 touchdowns (second in the country). I’m not sure how that only managed to get him on the All-SEC Second Team, but whatever. He had a huge performance in the Peach Bowl as well, catching 14 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns. After that performance, it’s no surprise he decided to skip his senior season in Baton Rouge and enter the NFL Draft.

Jordan Reid of The Draft Network has Jefferson as his #4 wide receiver and the #18 player overall on the Big Board in his Draft Guide. Here is his evaluation of Jefferson.

A former two-star recruit, but Justin Jefferson always had a high-star work ethic. Being that he was legacy and had brothers who suited up successfully for the Tigers, playing in Baton Rouge had a deeper meaning behind it. Since stepping on campus, many mentioned how hungry he was to succeed from the beginning. His quickness and smarts help him overcome what he lacks from a stature standpoint. After a successful year, he went on to top those totals and become the top slot option for a record setting offense. Scouts are enamored with Jefferson because of his football acumen, love for the game, and value that he brings. Because of questions about his in-game play strength, he may be limited to a slot only role where he won’t be challenged as frequently. Jefferson projects as first-round selection that will be an option to play early on as a rookie because of how mature his game is, plus his consistency as a catcher will enable him to take on a heavy workload in his first year and beyond

Jefferson should become the immediate starter for the Vikings across from Thielen, and should be able to make a significant contribution to the Vikings’ offense immediately.

Welcome to Minnesota, Justin Jefferson!