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Justin Jefferson replaces Stefon Diggs for Minnesota Vikings

By David Glancy

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson #2 of the LSU Tigers celebrates as the time is ticking away during the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. LSU defeated Clemson 42 to 25. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson #2 of the LSU Tigers celebrates as the time is ticking away during the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. LSU defeated Clemson 42 to 25. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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With the 22nd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select the dynamic Justin Jefferson, the wide receiver out of LSU.

The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2020 NFL Draft with two first-round picks after trading star receiver Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for the 22nd overall pick, a fifth-round pick, sixth-round pick, and a fourth-round pick in the 2021 Draft. While the Vikings had several positions to address in the first round, they took advantage of the falling Justin Jefferson and drafted the best player available.

Justin Jefferson gives new Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator, Gary Kubiak an instant impact player to replace Stefon Diggs. After Diggs led the team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns since entering the league, Jefferson looks to be a high volume replacement. Jefferson was the joint leader in receptions in college football’s top division with 111 receptions. Jefferson accounted for 1,540 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in an LSU record-breaking offense.

Justin Jefferson was the fifth receiver taken in a deep position group but has one of the highest ceilings in the 2020 NFL Draft. Jefferson can cover multiple positions for the Minnesota Vikings lining up at both the slot and on the outside while at LSU. Jefferson has demonstrated great body control, route-running ability, and is competitive on the ball. While he was a star, record-breaking receiver in college, Jefferson is a solid blocker for the Viking’s rushing game.

Justin Jefferson was slotted to go one pick prior to the Vikings when the Philadelphia Eagles selected at 21. With the Eagles opting to select Jalen Reagor, the Minnesota Vikings were in a position where they could not pass on the talented receiver. While Joe Burrow took home most of the accolades along with a Heisman Trophy and first overall pick on the national champion LSU team, Jefferson can be credited for his breakout season.

While Jefferson had a tremendous year, he showed up most for LSU in the clutch. Jefferson accounted for 7 receptions, a touchdown, and 115 yards against Georgia in the SEC Championship game before setting a College Football playoff record as a receiver bringing in 14 receptions, 227 yards, and 4 touchdowns against Oklahoma in the semi-finals. Jefferson finished his LSU career with 9 catches for 106 yards as LSU defeated Clemson in the College Football Playoff Championship game.

Kirk Cousins gets an NFL ready, impact receiver that can come to be a direct Stefon Diggs replacement over time. Jefferson gives the Minnesota Vikings options in multiple packages and is a big game player for a playoff team looking to make a deeper run. This high volume, multi-look target should give Minnesota Vikings fans a lot of excitement as they look to close out a productive first night.

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