The former LSU teammates are two of the brightest stars in the league. After a rough preseason Chase put together one of the best rookie years ever and Jefferson has been elite since he stepped into the league. Let’s take a look at the two receivers and talk about who could have the better season.
Justin Jefferson
Jefferson has been a true #1 receiver since he stepped foot in Minnesota. Through two seasons he has 196 receptions for 3,016 yards and 17 touchdowns. Jefferson is a technician and can get open at any level of the field. Look at his feet on this route:
Jefferson has benefited from having a veteran QB who is capable of getting him the ball in his spots. As Adam Thielen continues to age Jefferson will continue to step into the spotlight. He primed for a monster year and will be torching NFC North DB’s all over the field.
Ja’Marr Chase
Chase exploded onto the scene last year and didn’t miss a beat connecting with his old buddy Joe Burrow. In his rookie season he had 81 catches for 1455 yards and 13 scores. Chase is a big play machine, he averaged 18 yards per reception and 5 touchdowns over 50 yards. That may be due for a bit of regression but he will also be more comfortable coming into year two as a pro.
The nice thing is that Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase will be able to grow together as players and each year in Zac Taylor’s system should breed more and more comfortably and ability to make off script plays.
Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson both have a chance to be the #1 receiver in the league next year depending on how Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill adjust to their new surroundings. If I had to give one of them an edge I am leaning Chase due to the weapons he is surrounded with taking pressure off of him with a gunslinging quarterback. Meanwhile Jefferson still has to deal with the occasional Kirk Cousins ineptitude while being the true alpha receiving options if Theilen continues to decline. That will lead to increased defensive attention that he may hinder him at the start. We will also be seeing him in a new system which may take some time to adjust to. With that being said you can’t go wrong with either player, both are studs in their own right.
