Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

NFL analyst bestows honor on Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson that is both wild and makes complete sense

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Tyler Forness | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 4:50 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is already on track to be the best wide receiver to ever play in the National Football League, and he's already the best to ever be drafted at 22nd overall, as ESPN's Benjamin Solak set out to name the best player to be drafted at every draft slot in the NFL Draft.

Thank goodness there were no Hall of Famers to snub with the 22nd pick, making Jefferson an even easier selection for me. Never forget that Jefferson holds the record for most receiving yards through two seasons of a player's career (3,016) -- as well as through three seasons (4,825), four seasons (5,899) and five seasons (7,432). Guess which record he'll hold at the end of this year?

Justin Jefferson named best 22nd overall NFL Draft pick in history

Naming somebody who has only played in five season as the best to have been seelcted at a pick in the first round is quite something. It tells us two things:

There haven't been a ton of great picks at that selection
Jefferson has been insanely good

Both of those are true. Just looking at the last 40+ years of selections at 22nd overall, thereare some good names, especially at wide receiver.

2010: WR Demaryius Thomas
2009: WR Percy Harvin
2003: QB Rex Grossman
1993: CB Darrien Gordon
1989: WR Andre Rison
1985: DT William "Refrigerator" Perry

It's also easy to see why Jefferson has been given that honor when you just look at his stats.

He is currently the National Football League career leader in yards per game at 96.5, and he holds that record by a whopping 9.0 yards! He also has the most receiving yards for a wide receiver two, three, four, and five seasons into his career. That's bonkers when you think about it for anyone, let alone a player who was taken at 22nd overall.

The Vikings have done really well in drafting over the years, and this epitomizes just that.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: