By Nicholas Sabatino, PSO Asst. Director of Football Operations
Jun 16, 2022

As Minnesota Vikings fans celebrate Justin Jefferson on his 23rd birthday, check out some of the best records to know about the elite wide receiver.

When the Minnesota Vikings selected him with the 22nd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, wide receiver Justin Jefferson was expected to have an impact from day one, even as the fifth wide receiver taken from that class. However, nobody could have foreseen that he would become one of the most dominant wide receivers in the NFL. He had the best rookie WR season in the history of the league, and he only continued to get better after that.

Born and raised in Louisiana, Jefferson took his talents to LSU, where he played his first three seasons, albeit not seeing much playing time in his freshman year. However, when paired with QB Joe Burrow in his junior year, he put up historic numbers in an absolutely dominant offense that shattered records. His skills immediately translated into the NFL, as his rare athleticism, crisp route running, and exceptional catching led to him immediately becoming one of the best WRs in the league. 

Not only is Jefferson adored for his spectacular play, but also for his personality. He popularized the griddy celebration that many tried to recreate, albeit not as well as #18 did originally. His first two seasons in the league were as good as any in history, proving that he was indeed the best wide receiver in his draft class and continues to exceed expectations for the Minnesota Vikings. 

COLORS KEY | FULL VIKINGS OUTLOOK 
 

Here are some of the greatest records to know about Justin Jefferson:

Via Pro Football Reference
 

Justin Jefferson is one of the best WRs in the NFL, and the accolades are already starting to pile up

Career resume:

  • 2x Pro Bowl
  • 2x All-Pro 2nd Team
  • 2020 NFL OROY runner-up
  • 2020 PFWA All-Rookie Team
  • Most REC YDS (3,016) & REC (196) in 1st 2 seasons in NFL history

#18’s career got off to a faster start than any other wide receiver’s in history

Justin Jefferson’s NFL records:

  • REC YDS (3,016) in 1st 2 seasons
  • REC (196) in 1st 2 seasons
  • Rookie REC YDS (1,400) since 1970 merger 
  • Rookie REC (56) of 10+ YDS [PFF tracking began 2006]

Justin Jefferson’s consistency allowed him to dominate games almost every week

Vikings records:

  • REC YDS (577) in 4-game span
  • Consecutive games (26) of 2+ REC to start a career
  • REC YDS (3,016) in 1st 2 seasons
  • REC (196) in 1st 2 seasons
  • Games (14) of 100+ REC YDS in 1st 2 seasons

Vikings receiving records were quickly broken by the LSU product, even in a franchise with an incredibly rich WR history

Vikings rookie records:

  • REC (88)
  • REC YDS (1,400)
  • Games (7) with 100+ REC YDS
  • Games (15) with 3+ REC
  • REC YDS (812) at home
  • Home games (3) with 100+ REC YDS & 1+ REC TD

‘El Jefe’ made NFL history in his first two seasons when he outperformed other NFL legends

Most REC YDS during a player’s 1st 2 seasons in NFL history:

1. Justin Jefferson (3,016)

2. Odell Beckham Jr. (2,755)

3. Randy Moss (2,726)

4. Bill Groman (2,648)

5. Jerry Rice (2,497)

EL JEFE IS A YOUNG BEAST

 

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