Zimmer: Kubiak 'really, really liked' Jefferson, considered moving up
He said the team tried to move up for him before he fell to them. Wow.
He's an extremely good route runner and the trait I love most is his body control to reel in tough catches. That last trait is one that separates the WR1s from WR2s and 3s. He is going be a legit playmaker for us.
Jefferson had a pre-draft grade of 90 or above, which means 'rare skills'.
I thought Philly was going to take him so I was absolutely thrilled when he was still there and we took him.
Well, you can thank the Eagles for that gift. I think 95% of mocks had JJ going to Philly. Then yesterday afternoon, there came a Christmas miracle in that story that they were super high on Reagor. I'm still in disbelief.
Minnesota Vikings
Draft picks: LSU WR Justin Jefferson (No. 22 overall); TCU CB Jeff Gladney (No. 31 overall)
Day 1 grade and analysis: A
They acquired a first-round pick in the trade with the Bills for receiver Stefon Diggs and chose LSU's Justin Jefferson with the selection. They could not have hoped for much more. Jefferson will be the outside threat that they needed. He can win jump balls and work over the middle. That's a solid selection without having to move up. The team's other big need was cornerback, and they found a feisty corner in Gladney after trading back with the Niners, picking up fourth- and fifth-round selections to drop only six slots. He's a solid value at an important position.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com:
BONUS: Vikings upgrade at WR?
The Minnesota Vikings taking LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson with the 22nd overall pick was the best value of the first round. He's perfect for Gary Kubiak's offensive system, and he'll end up catching a zillion balls for Minnesota. He's so dependable, so reliable, and will always be where he's supposed to be. He is going to get open, catches everything, and will be really good in the red zone. I wouldn't be surprised if we look back after next season and say the Vikings upgraded over Stefon Diggs.
@"StickyBun" said: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com:BONUS: Vikings upgrade at WR?I wouldn't be surprised if we look back after next season and say the Vikings upgraded over Stefon Diggs.
Geez! If we're saying that after Jefferson's rookie year that would be unreal! Hope it happens.
Cris Collinsworth compared Jefferson to Keenan Allen. If he plays like that, without the injuries....giggity.
@"pattersaur" said:@"StickyBun" said: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com:BONUS: Vikings upgrade at WR?I wouldn't be surprised if we look back after next season and say the Vikings upgraded over Stefon Diggs.
Geez! If we're saying that after Jefferson's rookie year that would be unreal! Hope it happens.Hot takes 101. In the age of information overload, ya gotta make wild proclamations to get noticed.
@"Hawkvike25" said: I thought Philly was going to take him so I was absolutely thrilled when he was still there and we took him.With the Eagles on the clock, they cut over to Jefferson's home and I thought "shit, he's gone"...
I’m still really surprised he was there. I was also really shocked Gladney was there at 31. I’m super happy how it worked out for us last night. I had it in my head that Gladney would go in the teens and there was little chance Jefferson would get past the Eagles.
I totally agree with the feeling that Jefferson will catch a ton of balls. I expect he’ll see significant reps year one. He couldn’t have landed in a better spot. He’ll have a top shelf QB throwing him the ball and an elite position teammate in Adam to learn from.
Ok let's get this corona over---we got some ball to play
@"BarrNone55" said:I thought the same and my heart sank. When they announced Reagor for Philly I jumped out of my chair@"Hawkvike25" said: I thought Philly was going to take him so I was absolutely thrilled when he was still there and we took him. With the Eagles on the clock, they cut over to Jefferson's home and I thought "shit, he's gone"...
Not only did all the mocks have Jefferson going to the Eagles but post draft many of the analyst are dinging the Eagles for not taking him over Reagor. I did not want any part of Reagor in the first round so I am double thrilled.
@"greediron" said:@"pattersaur" said:@"StickyBun" said: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com:BONUS: Vikings upgrade at WR?I wouldn't be surprised if we look back after next season and say the Vikings upgraded over Stefon Diggs.
Geez! If we're saying that after Jefferson's rookie year that would be unreal! Hope it happens.Hot takes 101. In the age of information overload, ya gotta make wild proclamations to get noticed.
Except Diggs was a 5th Round pick that didn't have anywhere near the production Jefferson had. And he was dinged up a lot in college and more of a YAC guy than a killer route runner that was also a master of the contested catches.Stefon had 5 Star talent out of High School but didn't develop it at Maryland for a variety of reasons (QB play, Offensive playcalling, injuries, etc.). He undeniably had farther to grow than Jefferson, a comparable but more polished product coming out of college. Who's also used to playing alongside other great Receivers.
I'm not saying it happens his Rookie year. Few kids ever match what Diggs did last season as Rookies. But Jefferson has a far shorter distance to get there than Stefon did when he entered the League. And he has Kubiak, an inarguably more accomplished OC than Diggs had when he was developing. And Adam, who's already been through the growing pains.
By the end of Justin's 3rd season it wouldn't surprise me if he's out producing Diggs, who loves the long ball and has maybe the worst long ball thrower in the League trying to connect with him.
@"minny65" said: Not only did all the mocks have Jefferson going to the Eagles but post draft many of the analyst are dinging the Eagles for not taking him over Reagor. I did not want any part of Reagor in the first round so I am double thrilled.I didnt want Reagor or Mims and was afraid we would take Mims at 25. I was like BarrNone where I thought Philly was taking Jefferson when they showed him on his prior prior to the Eagles' pick. Happy it worked out the way it did
what i like about Jefferson? He has earned it all. Thats impressive.
Minnesota is going to love him. Kirk is going to love him.
Bring #12 back in and lets have some fun
@"Hawkvike25" said:I really like Mims. Are you saying you thought we would take him at 25 before the draft right? Before the draft I would have loved to have Mims at 25 but Ideally with a move down to the low 30's and get him and some picks like we ended up doing for Glatney. So I probably would have went with J Johnson (CB-Utah at 22) if no trade down and then Mims at 25 or visa versa. Oh well, I am no expert so I am thrilled with the picks and the fact we didn't go OT.@"minny65" said: Not only did all the mocks have Jefferson going to the Eagles but post draft many of the analyst are dinging the Eagles for not taking him over Reagor. I did not want any part of Reagor in the first round so I am double thrilled. I didnt want Reagor or Mims and was afraid we would take Mims at 25. I was like BarrNone where I thought Philly was taking Jefferson when they showed him on his prior prior to the Eagles' pick. Happy it worked out the way it did
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