4 things to expect from the Vikings pass-catchers in 2020
By Dustin Baker
Jefferson will not put up Diggs-like statistics right away
It is not debatable that Justin Jefferson was drafted to replace Stefon Diggs. It is very debatable to presume he will immediately achieve a level of production similar to what Diggs was able to do recently.
This is not because Diggs racked up a bunch of gaudy numbers or anything like that. He finished last season with 1,130 receiving yards and six touchdowns, which are not pedestrian numbers. But they also were not groundbreaking stats either. His performance in 2019 was basically very good.
In the last decade, eight rookie wide receivers have waltzed into the NFL and ascertained over 1,000 yards in their first year. Jefferson probably won’t be the ninth.
The usual disclaimer is needed here just to reiterate that this is not an indictment of the man. In reality, he is a promising, youthful dude that will split receiving targets in a run-heavy offense with Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook, Irv Smith Jr., and Kyle Rudolph.
A smart projection for Jefferson is actually in the territory that is closer to what Diggs finished with during his rookie season back in 2015. So about 700 to 800 receiving yards and four to seven touchdowns.