JustinJefferson

News: 5 days agoJefferson was held to two receptions on four targets for four yards in Sunday's 26-0 loss to Seattle.

Spin: The Vikings were forced to turn to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer with starter J.J. McCarthy (concussion) unavailable and backup Carson Wentz (shoulder) on injured reserve. The end result was even worse than expected with the third-stringer under center after Jefferson finished the shutout loss with a career-low four receiving yards. The horrid quarterback situation in Minnesota has damaged its star wideout's fantasy value in addition to its playoff hopes. The remaining hope for Jefferson's fantasy managers is that McCarthy can clear the league's concussion protocol by next Sunday's matchup against the Commanders, as he at least possesses the arm strength to take shots down the field towards his superstar receiver.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Jefferson enters his sixth NFL season as one of the best in the league at his position. The 26-year-old has produced a league-high 7,432 receiving yards since his arrival in 2020, having put up at least 100 catches, 1,500 yards and eight TDs in his last three full seasons. Jefferson has finished four straight seasons as a top-5 fantasy receiver on a per-game basis and showed he was QB-proof in 2024, finishing top 5 in catches, yards and TDs with Sam Darnold under center. Darnold is gone, but 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy could conceivably be an upgrade in Kevin O'Connell's pass-first scheme. Jefferson should be one of the first players off the board on draft day.