Although Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson did not have the experience to play in the NFL post season, he has already proved that he is one of the best in the game.
He had 1,400 yards in his rookie season to break Anquin Boldin’s single-season record for taking yards by a rookie.
Although Jamar Chase has already broken the mark of his former LSU teammate, Jefferson is betting on his second year.
He played 17 games and finished with 108 receptions, 1,616 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Jefferson became a pro bowler in his first two seasons, with Randy Moss and Sammy White being the only Vikings players to achieve this feat.
His receiving yard was just 16 yards shy of Moss’s single-season franchise record last season.
He also lost twice to second-team All-Pro, 2021 first-team by just one vote.
These achievements make him a recognizable man, especially for his defensive back.
Restricting Jefferson to less than 100 yards would be their crowning glory and there would be no touchdown reception when they covered him.
That said, his third season in the NFL could be his toughest as Jefferson faces a formidable slate of cornerbacks.
Justin Jefferson has some tough matchups next season pic.twitter.com/GfgVXrKl9l
– PFF (FPFF) May 17, 2022
Jefferson goes through a challenging secondary Gauntlet
Pro Football Focus has revealed the defensive players who will cover him for nine of the Vikings’ 17 regular season games.
He will face Alexander twice in all-pro cornerback Zaire as the Green Bay Packers are their NFC North rivals.
Then, he has to deal with the Philadelphia Eagles’ cornerback Darius Slack in 2 weeks.
Jefferson gets Marson Latimore of the New Orleans Saints at 4 weeks and Javin Howard of the Miami Dolphins at 6 weeks.
He will also have to overcome challenges from Trevis Davis White, Trevon Diggs and former defensive player of the year Stephen Gilmore.
Finally, he will showdown with Ahmed “Sauce” Gardner, picking the first round of the New York Jets in this year’s draft.