Vikings Territory: One Viking Makes NFL.Com's ‘Under 25' Team

Press release from Vikings Territory:

July 3, 2021

A couple of weeks ago, Nick Shook from NFL.com constructed an ‘Under 25’ team comprised of the best NFL players under the age of 25. For example, Lamar Jackson is the quarterback of the on-paper team while individuals like Josh Jacobs and Jonathan Taylor patrol the backfield per Shook’s analysis.

Shook must enjoy wide receivers from run-first teams, evidenced by his selection of the lone Minnesota Vikings player to earn recognition for the team — Justin Jefferson.

“It appeared to be a daunting challenge entering the season, but Jefferson couldn’t have done a better job of replacing Stefon Diggs in 2020. The wideout’s 1,400 receiving yards were the most by a rookie in the Super Bowl era. He’ll need to replicate his production from the 2020 campaign in 2021 to surpass Odell Beckham Jr. for the most receiving yards in a player’s first two seasons in the Super Bowl era. It’s quite a task, but if Jefferson taught us one thing last season (other than how to hit the Griddy), it’s that he won’t shy away from great expectations.”

Jefferson had famous shoes to fill in 2020. He was the defacto replacement for Stefon Diggs, a player disillusioned with the way the Vikings ran operations on offense, ending up in a trade to the Buffalo Bills. The Vikings received the Bills 1st-Round pick and more for Diggs, paving the way for the draft choice of Jefferson.

In flashes, Jefferson was reminiscent of Randy Moss in 1998, who shattered receiving records at the time (receiving yards and touchdowns). Jefferson’s rookie season wasn’t quite that legendary when 2020 finished, but the LSU alumnus did break the all-time receiving yards record held by Anquan Boldin (he broke Moss’ record in 2003). Additionally, Jefferson performed this feat at a slight disadvantage. Minnesota did not fully work him into the offensive gameplan until Week 3. Yet, after that unofficial greenlight, Jefferson acquired instant chemistry with quarterback Kirk Cousins, hauling in an unprecedented 1,400 receiving yards.

Then, Danielle Hunter, an EDGE rusher that missed all of 2020 due to injury, is 26 now. He frequented lists akin to Shook’s until a couple of years ago. The Vikings front office and Hunter temporarily hashed out his contractual concerns, signaling an all-clear for the defensive end to play this September.

This press release was produced by Vikings Territory. The views expressed here are the author’s own.