This rookie large receiver class has come simply as marketed. We’re simply 11 video games into the common season and it seems now we have a number of stars within the making, together with Minnesota Vikings large receiver Justin Jefferson. The previous LSU standout has caught 52 of his 72 targets for 918 yards and 6 touchdowns thus far this 12 months. His receiving yards rank first amongst all rookies and his touchdowns rank second. Jefferson has additionally instantly stepped into the place Stefon Diggs left open after he was dealt to the Buffalo Payments this previous offseason. Not solely has he crammed Diggs’ beginning position, he has created a brand new dynamic duo alongside Professional Bowl wideout Adam Thielen.

Throughout the newest episode of the CBS Sports activities podcast “All Issues Lined with Patrick Peterson and Bryant McFadden,” Jefferson mentioned how his rookie season had gone to date. The star wideout was additionally requested if he and Thielen shaped a greater dynamic duo than Diggs and Thielen did, and Jefferson did not hesitate in saying sure.

“One, I am a rookie however I’ve the mindset of a veteran,” Jefferson mentioned. “I simply attempt to take each recreation the identical and simply attempt to be constant. I really feel like that is one of many hardest issues particularly as a rookie is being constant and having these high-yard video games week in and week out. Simply having defenses actually disguise their recreation round you — that is loopy. Final recreation was the primary time I’ve seen a robber (in protection) in a sizzling minute. Simply seeing that, it (provides) me confidence as properly, exhibiting {that a} protection has to do this to actually lock me down.”

Jefferson has recorded 4 100-yard video games in 9 begins, and has been on a roll as of late. Through the Vikings’ Week 12 win over the Carolina Panthers, Kirk Cousins focused Jefferson a career-high 13 occasions and related with him in the long run zone twice. Whereas Diggs naturally has the extra polished profession to date, Jefferson’s ceiling may very well be larger. Earlier than the draft this offseason, a longtime NFL offensive coordinator/receivers coach informed Bucky Brooks of NFL.com that Jefferson was top-of-the-line receivers he is ever studied, and believed he may very well be one of many most secure picks on this class.

“He is top-of-the-line receivers that I’ve ever studied in 40-plus years,” the unidentified coach informed Brooks. “He can do all of it and has no concern and may play slot or exterior. … He is a baller who’s significantly better than he is been credited. Belief me. The child is a baller.”

To this point, it actually seems like that coach was proper.