Minnesota Vikings huge receiver Justin Jefferson warmed up at Soldier Area earlier than a highway divisional matchup with the Chicago Bears, getting free in full uniform throughout pregame routines. On November 24, 2024, in Chicago, Jefferson ready for an additional NFC North take a look at as Minnesota readied its offense for kickoff towards a well-known division opponent. Necessary Credit score: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Photos.
In comparison with his regular conduct on a soccer area, Minnesota Vikings huge receiver Justin Jefferson had a quiet 12 months in 2025, primarily as a result of his quarterbacks didn’t flourish always. So, he’s destined to rebound and regain his All-Professional type with Kyler Murray on the town, proper? Not based on CBS Sports activities.
Heath Cummings outlined fantasy “busts” on Monday, and Jefferson obtained an unlucky nomination.
The Kyler Murray Issue Complicates the Fade
Minnesota Vikings huge receiver Justin Jefferson lined up towards the Los Angeles Rams throughout NFC Wild Card motion at State Farm Stadium, giving Minnesota’s offense its prime playmaker in a postseason setting. On January 13, 2025, in Glendale, Jefferson labored by means of protection because the Vikings tried to spark their passing recreation towards Los Angeles. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos.
Cummings: Jefferson Will Be a Fantasy Bust
Discovering seven busts, Cummings landed on Jefferson close to the highest of his record. He defined, “I am very hopeful that Kyler Murray wins the job and proves better than J.J. McCarthy.”
“But I am concerned about drafting Kyler Murray’s WR1 in Round 1. Murray was miserable last year, averaging 6.0 yards per pass attempt, and hasn’t posted a pass TD rate above 3.9% since 2021. His rushing, while good for the team, can be detrimental to the total number of targets available for pass catchers.”
Most fantasy brains are literally excessive on Jefferson, imagine it or not. Murray is meant to be an elixir.
Cummings added, “Jefferson’s TPRR over the past two seasons has been about 24% when both Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson are on the field.”
“That would have tied Emeka Egbuka for 23rd at WR last year. Jefferson is a good bet to bounce back, and a fine pick in the middle of Round 2, but he’ll be a disappointment if you draft him in Round 1.”
The TDs Actually Want Assist
For Jefferson to be thought-about a really lethal fantasy asset — like prime Christian McCaffrey at RB — he’ll want extra touchdowns, Plain and easy. He recorded 2 final 12 months, which was criminally low, and in his profession, Jefferson has logged double-digit scores in a season twice: 10 in 2021 and 10 in 2024. Should you’ve ever questioned why Jefferson by no means fairly looks like he’s on Randy Moss’s degree, it’s the touchdowns — lack thereof in comparison with his yardage totals.
Fortunately, Jefferson topping 2 touchdowns from 2025 this season gained’t be arduous to do. Actually, it ought to be seamless with Murray slinging the rock. Theoretically, Jefferson might conquer his 2025 landing whole in Week 1 towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
However total, he wants the touchdowns to be a supremely lethal fantasy asset.
By no means Neglect: a Cross-Completely satisfied Offense
Jefferson additionally performs in a pass-happy offense — nearly to a fault at occasions, as followers want Kevin O’Connell would run the soccer extra usually to stability the playcalling. As long as Murray doesn’t play like an imbecile, the Vikings will naturally throw the soccer greater than most groups as a result of that’s what O’Connell, a former quarterback, does.
Minnesota Vikings huge receiver Justin Jefferson reacted after scoring a second-half landing at Soldier Area, including emotion to a different highway chapter towards the Chicago Bears. On September 8, 2025, in Chicago, Jefferson punctuated the second as Minnesota prolonged momentum in a hostile divisional setting and delivered a decisive late scoring play. Necessary Credit score: Matt Marton-Imagn Photos.
These are Jefferson’s targets by 12 months since he turned professional in 2020:
2020 — 125
2021 — 167
2022 — 184
2023 — 100
2024 — 154
2025 — 141
He didn’t undergo from an absence of targets final season; his quarterbacks simply didn’t effectively feed him the ball.
The place to Draft Vikings Gamers in Fantasy
Should you’re in search of a fast information on the place to draft Vikings gamers in August and September, we’ve bought it. These are suggestions, assuming 10-Group SuperFlex guidelines:
Vikings Gamers,Dynasty | RedraftADP by Spherical:
— Justin JeffersonRedraft: Spherical 2Dynasty: Spherical 2
— Kyler MurrayRedraft: Spherical 4Dynasty: Spherical 7
— Jordan AddisonRedraft: Spherical 12Dynasty: Spherical 9
— T.J. HockensonRedraft: Spherical 17Dynasty: Spherical 15
— Jordan MasonRedraft: Spherical 14Dynasty: Spherical 16
— Aaron JonesRedraft: Spherical 13Dynasty: Spherical 17
— J.J. McCarthyRedraft: Spherical 28Dynasty: Spherical 18
— Demond ClaiborneRedraft: Spherical 25Dynasty: Spherical 23
Minnesota Vikings huge receiver Jordan Addison secured a landing catch throughout first-quarter motion towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Lambeau Area, giving Minnesota an early divisional strike. On September 29, 2024, in Inexperienced Bay, Addison tracked the move and accomplished the scoring play because the Vikings pushed their highway offense ahead. Necessary Credit score: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Photos.
SI.com‘s Thomas Carelli on Murray’s fantasy outlook: “The Risk: Murray has struggled to be as efficient as he was in his days at Oklahoma. A player formerly drafted 1st overall in the NFL Draft has become nothing more than a mediocre quarterback. He could not feed Marvin Harrison Jr., so why should he feed Justin Jefferson?”
“The Reward: If anyone can get Murray right, it will be Kevin O’Connell. He had Kirk Cousins post his best career numbers in the early 2020s. He also helped breed Sam Darnold into the Super Bowl winner he became. The Vikings also add the best trio of wide receivers that Murray will have ever had: Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. If all goes right, Murray could be a top-5 quarterback in fantasy football.”
Jefferson, in the meantime, is beneath contract with the Vikings by means of the top of 2028, although he might moderately ask for a commerce subsequent summer time if he sours on the membership.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
