The Minnesota Vikings rookie receiver had another impressive performance on Monday night.
Following the decision to trade Stefon Diggs last March, the Minnesota Vikings knew they had to turn to the NFL Draft to find a replacement.
With their first pick in last April’s draft, the Vikings went with former LSU receiver Justin Jefferson. So far this season, Jefferson has not only proved that he can make up for the loss of Diggs, but the rookie might actually end up being a better receiver than the guy Minnesota traded to the Buffalo Bills.
On Monday night, Jefferson played a big part in the Vikings getting an impressive road win over the Chicago Bears. Against the Bears, Minnesota’s rookie receiver hauled in eight passes for 135 yards. It was the fourth time this season that Jefferson has finished a game with at least 100 receiving yards.
Minnesota Vikings rookie makes a Chicago Bears defender look silly
Something that has allowed Jefferson to adjust so well to life in the NFL is the fact that he is a very good route-runner. He’s already made plenty of opposing defensive backs look silly out on the field and he did it again on Monday night.
While being covered by Bears corner Jaylon Johnson, Jefferson pulled off a move at the beginning of his route that resulted in the Chicago defender falling to the ground.
Justin Jefferson putting DBs on skates ⛸ @JJettas2 @Vikings
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 17, 2020
📺 #MINvsCHI on ESPN pic.twitter.com/0kstA6TIwj
This is the type of move that would usually come from a receiver who has been in the NFL for a few years. But Jefferson already looks like a seasoned pro and it’s a large reason why he’s been able to be so successful during his first year in the league.
Jefferson’s 762 receiving yards currently leads all rookies in the NFL this season and his 42 catches are the second-most of any first-year player in the league.
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Minnesota’s rookie receiver is on pace to finish with 1,355 receiving yards this year. If Jefferson is able to achieve this total, it would break the current Vikings record held by Randy Moss for the most receiving yards in a single season by a rookie.