Justin Jefferson burst onto the scene with the two best seasons ever seen to start a career for a WR. As a rookie he accounted for 88 catches and 1400 yards. He didn’t even start the first couple of games. He followed that up with a 100/1600/10 line as a sophomore, and now is easily viewed as one of the best pass catchers in the league. One of the few players he is competing with for that spot is Cooper Kupp. Kupp has a case for the league’s best WR as well, so what did Jefferson say?
The Quote:
Jefferson was recently asked to rank his best WRs in the league. He mentioned the name Cooper Kupp as top 4, however made sure to mention that he is better. “Coop is good, but I’ll say he’s behind me,” is the quote that went viral from Jefferson. I tend to agree with Jefferson, but this article isn’t about what I believe. It’s what do the numbers say? Everyone knows Kupp is coming off one of, if not the, greatest WR season ever, but how does his entire career stack up to Jefferson’s two years?
Comparing the Numbers:
YPC:
To start, look at efficiency numbers. Volume stats are nice to look at, but with Kupp having nearly 200 targets, that wouldn’t be fair to Jefferson. Looking at yards per reception numbers, Jefferson beats Kupp by nearly two whole yards. Jefferson with 15 YPC and Kupp with 13.4 YPC. On a catch by catch basis, Jefferson is more efficient than Kupp. This can be attributed to Jefferson’s ability to win down the field, and Kupp’s role as a slot guy who works underneath beating linebackers.
YAC:
So, we learned that Jefferson is more efficient and wins down the field more, so who is better with the ball in their hands? Cooper Kupp lead the league in total YAC. However, again when looking at volume stats, the guy with the most catches will normally win out. When we break it down to a per catch basis, Kupp still beats Jefferson in YAC/R 5.83 yards, to 4.49 yards. Again, this could be attributed to Kupp being a screen and underneath guy, but the numbers and tape speak for itself. Kupp is the best YAC guy in all of football.
Separation:
So far Jefferson is better at winning down the field, and Kupp is better with the ball in his hands. Who creates more separation? Kupp finished 11th in the league (min. 45 targets) in average separation created at 3.6 yards/target. Jefferson finished 43rd in the league at three yards/target. Looking at the leaderboard however, something stands out. A lot of TE’s and smaller slot types litter the top of the leaderboard. This is due to those players never facing high end cover guys, beating up on linebackers, safeties, and teams CB3s. Jefferson spent a majority of his season in two WR sets, forcing opponents number one CB to cover him all the time. The Rams spent a majority of their time in 11 personnel, or three WR sets, allowing Kupp to play the slot and be a match up nightmare on LBs and safeties. These two players weren’t eating off the same plate, as one of them having to fight harder for his food. It’s one thing to take food from a baby, it’s another to take it from All-Pro CBs.
Accolades:
Counting Stats:
The last thing to touch on is what these guys have individually accomplished in the league. Kupp had a head start of three years on Justin Jefferson, but Jefferson wasted no time catching up. Take Jefferson’s two seasons, and compare them to Kupp’s two best seasons. Jefferson has a line of 194/3,016/17/15.4. Kupp’s best two seasons when combined look like 239/3,108/26/13.0. Kupp has over 40 more catches for a measly 92 more yards. Remember that Jefferson’s numbers include his rookie season. Kupp’s numbers include season three and five, his only 1,000 yard seasons.
Pro Bowls:
The Pro Bowl has become a laughing stock, but might as well mention it. Jefferson has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons in the league. Kupp was named a Pro Bowler last season for the first time in his career.
All-Pros:
As for All-Pros, Jefferson is two for two on making the team, and Kupp is two for five. There is a 100% chance Jefferson plays at an All-Pro level. There’s just a 40% chance Kupp does the same. Of course, it has to be mentioned that Kupp lead the league in catches, yards, and TDs all in the same season. Kupp fully ascended in year five at age 28 into an elite WR, Jefferson did it as a 21 year old rookie.
So Who is Better?
My biased opinion will not allow me to say anyone is better than Justin Jefferson, and luckily for me the numbers agree with said biased opinion. Jefferson is the only WR over the last two seasons with 3,000 yards, and he’s doing it with insane efficiency. Kupp is the owner of one really fantastic, legendary season. To me personally, I can understand how it’s hard to not have Kupp as the best WR in football after last year, but it’s just the truth. Jefferson is not off on his belief of being better than Cooper Kupp. However, it is very close. Both guys are very elite at what they do, and are very different archetypes at the position. It will be fun to see how Jefferson produces in the same offense that aided Kupp in his record breaking season.
For More Great NFL and College Football Content:
Follow me on Twitter @SportsTalkCenter or @ChasePetersen28, and follow us @GridironHeroics for all the great content! To read more of our articles and keep up to date with all things football, click here!