If you ask some people, Justin Jefferson might be the best receiver in the NFL right now. But if you ask Los Angeles Rams All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who is arguably the best at his position, Jefferson doesn’t even crack the top-five.
Ouch.
That was the feeling as Ramsey named off six receivers not named Jefferson that he’d fit into his top-five, during an appearance on the Pivot Podcast. So the Vikings’ All-Pro receiver still missed the cut even when given a little leeway for a sixth spot.
Double ouch.
The names that made the list were Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Deebo Samuel, Odell Beckham Jr., Cooper Kupp and Stefon Diggs.
.@Realrclark25 asked Jalen Ramsey for his top wide receivers from 2021.
Here's his list 👀
(via @thepivot) pic.twitter.com/dTO4wCvtdG
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 29, 2022
Ramsey made sure to preface the list by saying he was only choosing players he’d played against.
Maybe he forgot that Jefferson had eight receptions for 116 yards against the Rams in Week 16. There’s also the fact that Jefferson surpassed Beckham for the most receiving yards ever for a receiver in his first two years in the league. He also came within 17 yards of breaking legendary Hall of Fame wideout Randy Moss’ single-season franchise receiving yards record.
But to be fair, Jefferson only snagged three catches for 24 yards on five targets when lined up across from Ramsey.
Justin Jefferson vs Jalen Ramsey this week
🔒 21 cover snaps
🔒 5 targets
🔒 3 catches
🔒 24 yards pic.twitter.com/3plLaO8wUk— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) December 27, 2021
So the numbers didn’t necessarily pop off the stat sheet when the two went head-to-head. It’s still hard to deny Jefferson a spot in the top-five considering he finished the 2021 season with 1,616 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. And to think, he’s not even in his prime yet as a player.
It could be a completely different story the next time the two players run into one another.