Justin Jefferson's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that wide receiver Justin Jefferson did not report on Monday for Day 1 of voluntary workouts. The workouts this spring are voluntary, and Jefferson is angling for a new contract. It was a disappointing year for Jefferson in 2023 due to injury, as he played in a career-low 10 games. However, the three-time Pro Bowler still managed to go over 1,000 yards receiving for the fourth straight season to begin his NFL career, also adding five touchdowns. The 24-year-old remains one of the best wideouts, if not the best, in football when he's healthy. However, contract situation aside, his fantasy value for 2024 is inevitably going to take a hit after quarterback Kirk Cousins left in free agency to play for the Atlanta Falcons.

At the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah aggressively rejected the idea of trading star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. The Vikings came close to extending Jefferson last offseason, and the team still has no plans to trade him despite quarterback Kirk Cousins' departure to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, according to sources. The 25-year-old pass-catcher is currently signed through the 2024 season. With Cousins gone, the Vikings signed former first-rounder Sam Darnold. Unless the team makes a splash in the upcoming NFL draft for a rookie signal-caller, all signs point to Darnold taking over the starting gig in Minnesota, which would give Jefferson far less upside as an elite WR1 for fantasy purposes.

Minnesota Vikings All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been the subject of social-media chatter lately as a potential trade candidate this offseason, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said the idea of trading Jefferson is "not something that has once crossed my mind." The speculation is coming this offseason because of the fact that the two sides haven't been able to work out a long-term extension yet. The 24-year-old made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons in the league before playing in a career-low 10 games in 2023 due to injury. But Jefferson still managed his fourth straight 1,000-yard season despite his injury. While he'll remain an elite WR1 in fantasy heading into drafts this fall, whether quarterback Kirk Cousins re-signs in free agency will be a major talking point as it relates to Jefferson this offseason.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson absolutely dominated in the regular season finale on Sunday against the Detroit Lions in a 30-20 loss, catching 12 of his 14 targets for 192 yards and a touchdown. He also had one carry for a loss of 12 yards. It was a tough season for the 24-year-old and fantasy managers that took him in the first round, as he was only able to play in 10 games due to a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined from Weeks 6-12. Despite missing seven games, Jefferson still managed a 1,000-yard season with 68 receptions on 100 targets for five touchdowns. It was even more impressive that he did it with four different quarterbacks in 2023. Even with Kirk Cousins' future in Minnesota uncertain, Jefferson has proven that he's one of the best receivers, if not the best, in all of football.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson returns to the WR1 tier for fantasy football after the team announced that quarterback Nick Mullens would return to the starting role against the Detroit Lions in Week 18. The 24-year-old looked solid in Mullens' previous two starts, totaling 13 catches, 225 yards, and one touchdown during that span. Mullens has the tendency to air the ball out and take risks, which bodes well for Jefferson's upside, even against a respected Lions defense. Fantasy managers should view the alpha wideout as a must-start option once against this week.