It is not often that the Vikings are really the point of emphasis throughout sports media. Within the last week the team has seen some praise, but also some disrespect. Specifically, in a certain wide receiver rankings list.
The Graphic
Should we really take opinion as harsh as we typically do in sports? Probably not, but everybody is entitled to opinions, and they will always be up for debate.
What makes an opinion more prominent than others is how do facts support the opinion. Take a look at FFT & PhiferFootball’s wide receiver rankings and I will tell you why the Vikings group belongs in the top 10.
Why Does Minnesota Belong?
It is clear when looking at their list that certain aspects of it could be correct. Again, this is all opinion, but there is a sense of disrespect. It is not only the Vikings getting disrespected on this list. Some teams on the list should find themselves higher than other teams.
The main point that stood out is Kansas City being number five on the list. Kansas City got a whole new receiving core and yet the Vikings third wide receiver had more yards last year than two of their receivers. KJ Osborn netted 655 receiving yards last season while, Juju Smith-Schuster did not even play a whole season. Even in years past, Smith Schuster has only surpassed 600 receiving yards once in the past three seasons.
A 62-yard touchdown from Kirk Cousins to KJ Osborn 🔥pic.twitter.com/n5rE3vBGqa
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 10, 2021
Now this was essentially comparing WR3 to the Chiefs new WR1. If anything, this list could be better if you were to replace the Vikings at the fifth spot.
I truly could see an argument for them cracking the top eight on this list at least. Adam Thielen has struggled to stay healthy but is still a difference maker. An end zone threat who had 10 touchdowns in 13 games last season.
Jefferson Should be Enough to Make the List
Now that the other two receivers have been talked about, lets turn our attention to WR1, Justin Jefferson. It would be insane not to include the Vikings knowing they have a top five receiver in the entire league on their roster.
Jefferson is heading into his third season and has already broken records. The mark on the league he has made is humongous and the stats show that.
Last season, Jefferson had 108 receptions, 1,616 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Within his first two seasons he has surpassed 3,000 receiving yards, the only receiver in history to reach that mark in their first two seasons.
Justin Jefferson's catch radius 🔥 #SKOL @JJettas2
📺: #MINvsLAC on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/IiPVNlqNWx— NFL (@NFL) November 14, 2021
It is quite easy to see that having somebody like Jefferson should help to make a wide receiver rankings list.
Why Does it Matter?
In reality, this won’t matter at the end of the day. If stats are not enough to show from the past few seasons, then the play on the field should prove differently this season.
It will be interesting to save this piece of bullet board material for the end of the year. Let’s refer to this at the end of the season and then we can see if these rankings are correct.
1 Comment
Saw this and laughed that they weren’t even mentioned.