The Minnesota Vikings came out of Houston with their first win of the season getting their record to 1-3. Although the team has struggled through the first quarter of the season, the offense has put up over 30 points in three of the first four games.
A big reason for the Vikings scoring over 30 points in back to back weeks has been the breakout performances of rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Over his last two games, Jefferson has totaled 11 catches for 278 yards and a touchdown.
The rookie had some big shoes to fill replacing a top-ten receiver in Stefon Diggs. However, it’s starting to look as if the Vikings made the right call in selecting Jefferson with the first-round pick they got in exchange for Diggs.
For the second consecutive week, Jefferson has been named the highest rated receiver across the NFL from PFF.
Jefferson is also the only rookie receiver with a 90+ grade through four weeks since 2006.
Adam Thielen is right behind Jefferson as the second overall rated receiver through the first quarter of the season. Thielen’s overall rating thus far is 87.6 whereas Jefferson’s is a 90.6.
One of the biggest knocks on Jefferson coming out of college was his inability to play out wide. He has shattered that narrative over the last two weeks playing over 84 percent of his snaps outside, while just under 16 percent of his snaps were in the slot.
The Vikings needed to find someone to replace the target share that Diggs had during his time in Minnesota. Through the first four games of the season it looks as if they have found that replacement in Jefferson.