Justin Jefferson: 2020 Dynasty Rookie Profile
Position: WR
School: LSU
Class: Junior
Date of Birth: June 16, 1999
Height: 6-1 Weight: 202lbs
Athletic Testing
40-Time: 4.43
Speed Score: 104.9 (83rd-percentile)
Burst Score: 126.8 (80th-percentile)
Bio
Justin Jefferson joined the Tigers in 2017 as a three-star recruit from Destrehan high school in Louisiana. He was an outstanding track and field athlete and was a two-way player on the gridiron. Jefferson wrapped up his high school career with 44 receptions for 956 yards and nine touchdowns in his senior season. He received offers from LSU, Nicholls State, Northwestern, and Tulane. Like his brothers Jordan and Rickey before him, Jefferson chose LSU.
See Where Justin Jefferson Lands In Our 2020 Dynasty Rookie Rankings
Jefferson played in just four games as a freshman. His only stat was one rush for four yards. Things turned around quickly, though, as he led the Tigers with 54 receptions for 875 yards (16.2 YPR) and six touchdowns in 13 games (12 starts) in his sophomore season.
With Joe Brady calling the plays and the emergence of quarterback Joe Burrow in 2019, Jefferson’s numbers popped off the charts in his junior campaign. While playing 78-percent of his snaps from the slot, Jefferson tied for the FBS lead in receptions with 111, compiling a third-best 1,540 yards (13.9 YPR) in 15 starts. His 18 touchdowns were second in the nation behind LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase. Jefferson was one of four wide receivers to catch 100 or more passes, earning him second-team All-SEC honors. On the way to a National Championship Title, Jefferson dominated in the College Football Playoffs including a 14-reception, 227-yard and four-touchdown performance against Oklahoma.
Jefferson wowed scouts with one of the best and most surprising performances at the NFL Combine. He displayed blazing speed with a 4.43 40-time and showed great explosion in the vertical and broad jumps.
College Stats
Justin Jefferson College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference.com
Positives
+30.0-percent (51st-percentile) Dominator
+15.0 (56th-percentile) YPR
+19.6 (75th-percentile, Sophomore season) Breakout Age
+91-percent Catch Rate
+111 receptions, 18 touchdowns in 2019
+Ball Skills
+Body Control
+Hands; Natural pass-catcher
+7.4 receptions per game
+2.75 yards per team pass attempt
+92.3-percent contested catch rate, best in 2019 of any wide receiver in the class
+2.64 yards per route
+23 forced missed tackles
+5.8-percent drop rate
+14 receptions for 227 yards and four touchdowns vs Oklahoma in College Football Playoff game; Nine receptions for 106 yards vs Clemson in National Title Game
Final #SEC Rankings: Justin Jefferson
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Receptions (#1) 111
Rec-Yards (#2) 1540
Touchdowns (#2) 18
Yards/G (#2) 102.7
Rec/G. (#1) 7.4
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pic.twitter.com/Hd0zNVrD7V— Kasting Coastal (@KastingCoastal) January 20, 2020
Negatives
-9.4 average target distance
-98.2-percent of receptions came from slot in 2019
-Five snaps out wide in 2019
-Limited impact in the return game
-Average outside receiver
-Took advantage of the LSU scheme and routinely got open by exploiting holes in zone coverage rather than creating space himself
-Barely saw any press coverage
Highlight Reel
Best Comparable Player (PlayerProfiler): Reggie Wayne
NFL Draft Projection: Late First-Early Second Round
Bottom Line:
Jefferson projects as a versatile inside/outside WR2 or WR3 at the NFL level. He was highly productive in the LSU offense even while battling emerging star Ja’Mar Chase for targets. He is a natural pass-catcher with a knack for coming down with contested catches. Jefferson should find draft capital in the late first or early second round and should be the fourth or fifth wide receiver off the board in dynasty rookie drafts.
Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, NFL.com, PFF
