ESPN ranks Justin Jefferson No. 2 among WRs

https://www.vikings.com/news/nfc-north-ranked-top-division-2026-justin-jefferson

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler is once again rolling out positional rankings after talking to NFL executives, coaches and scouts. He explained:

Here's how it works: Voters gave their own top 10 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on the number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen as well as ESPN Research.

In the wide receiver rankings, Justin Jefferson once again landed at No. 2 behind — just barely behind — his former LSU teammate Ja'Marr Chase. Fowler noted Jefferson "registered No. 1 or No. 2 votes on around 70% of the ballots, with several voters considering him a cut above the rest."

An unnamed AFC executive told Fowler Jefferson is "a proven commodity that can do everything you need and can adapt to any defensive look."

An NFC executive said choosing between Jefferson and Chase is a tough task.

"Chase vs. Jefferson is still kind of like Bijan [Robinson] and [Jahmyr] Gibbs at running back — almost like 1 and 1A," he told Fowler. "Maybe a little more big-play ability with Jefferson."

Jefferson's 8,480 receiving yards are the most for any player in his first six seasons in NFL history. His six straight 1,000-yard campaigns tie Randy Moss for second in franchise history (Cris Carter is first with eight).

Jefferson's career-low 1,048 yards in 2025 hurt his vote share slightly, but most voters gave him a pass due to poor quarterback play. And several voters noted how professionally Jefferson handled the offense stalling. His 53.4% double-team percentage ranked first among receivers, and he eclipsed 1,500 yards the previous season with Sam Darnold.

Fowler finished his recap of Jefferson by referencing a coach's comments about the Vikings receiver:

Forget the 50-50 catch. Jefferson can make 20-80 catches, an NFL coordinator said. "That catch he made in Buffalo [in 2022], I don't think Chase makes that."