After a historic season in 2022, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson had a historically successful season, but came short of the 2,000 yard mark. Could he get there in 2023? NFL.com’s Adam Schein believes so and proclaimed it as one of his nine bold predictions for the 2023 season.
No wide receiver has ever hit 2K. Calvin Johnson’s come the closest, posting an NFL-record 1,964 yards in 2012. Nine years later, Cooper Kupp reached 1,947 yards. In 2023, Jefferson makes history.
Shoot, it’s just the natural progression of Jefferson’s NFL production, from 1,400 yards in Year 1 to 1,616 yards in Year 2 to 1,809 yards last season. To reach 2,000, he needs to average just under 118 yards over 17 games. Jefferson is the kind of unstoppable force who can make that happen, especially in Year 2 of Kevin O’Connell’s offense. And his new WR running mate in Jordan Addison — Minnesota’s first-round pick in April — will help the cause by commanding more attention than the Vikings’ complementary targets last season.
The Griddy will be on full display in 2023, with No. 18 dancing his way into the record books.
Jefferson has a real chance to get the record. Based off of his statistical growth over his first three season, Jefferson is on pace to have 2,005 yards receiving after having 1,400, 1,616 and 1,809 in his first three seasons, respectively. The addition of Jordan Addison and a full season of T.J. Hockenson will help make that easier.
