One player will be the clear favorite in the second matchup between Bills and Vikings: Justin Jefferson, a wide receiver from Minnesota. The rookie was drafted with the 22nd overall pick in April, just one pick behind Diggs. Both in college and his first two NFL seasons, Jefferson has exceeded all expectations. His impressive rookie season earned him comparisons to former Vikings wide receivers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jefferson has maintained a high level of play since his draft. He has a total of 67 passes for 1,027 yards with six touchdowns as of this writing.
Jefferson’s performance in the preseason was however questioned after the Vikings lost. Many people believed that Jefferson’s comments were a result of his frustration at the Vikings losing. Alexander Mattison, the Vikings’ quarterback, threw the bomb during the loss. It was not clear if he was referring either to the two plays or the play that led there to be a loss.
Jefferson is slightly ahead of Diggs in the per-target comparison. He has 18 touchdowns in his first two seasons, compared to Diggs’ 15. His career high of nine touchdowns is equaled by Jefferson’s first two seasons with nine. Jefferson has not experienced the same frustrations as Diggs. In other words, Jefferson has been able to impress the Vikings’ coaching staff in the same way as Diggs.
Both players have the potential to be franchise wide receivers. The Vikings have built their wide receiver corps around Jefferson. The Vikings are ready to support Jefferson’s brinks truck, even though they are not yet in the playoffs. Both players have impressive resumes, even though it is unlikely they will be worth much. Jefferson is a great fit for the Vikings. With a guaranteed $68 million, he could become the highest-paid wide receiver in the league.
Although it is difficult to predict what will happen in this matchup, one thing remains certain: both players can improve their game. Justin Jefferson’s performance is dramatically improving. His touchdowns and receptions are improving which means that he is better than Diggs. In 2021, he had 108 catches for 1,616 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games. Regardless of who wins, he has more than enough to impress opposing teams.
Jefferson is still a solid option, despite his poor overall play. His career average of nineteen receptions, and ten receiving touchdowns is just over 1,200 yards. This results in a catch percentage at 15.4 yards. Jefferson is also an elite wide receiver, with a career-high of 71 yards. He has accumulated 3,016 yards through the air in 33 games.
Stefon Diggs vs Justin Jefferson will likely continue in Minnesota until both players prove their worth on the field. However, the question remains: which player is the better quarterback? If the Vikings are the better team, which team will Justin Jefferson play for? Who is the AFC West champion? In the coming weeks, the game will be decided.
