NFL Draft 2020: Why the Green Bay Packers Must Take Justin Jefferson
The Green Bay Packers need a difference-maker both in year one and in the future. And that’s why LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson is their man.
Mostly out of necessity, the Green Bay Packers went bargain shopping in free agency this offseason. That included the wide receiver position where they signed Devin Funchess as their lone free agent acquisition. Given their underwhelming talent behind Davante Adams, LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson is a must-add in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jefferson had a monster season at LSU and was Joe Burrow’s favorite target. He hauled in a whopping 111 receptions for 1540 yards and 18 touchdowns including 19 receptions of 20 or more yards. That’s impressive no matter who you’re catching the ball from.
He excels in the slot and would fit in perfectly alongside Adams and either Funchess or Allen Lazard on the outside. At 6-foot-1, he still possesses elite quickness in tight areas and Adams-esque juke moves to break free from the coverage.
Once he gets even a sliver of space, it’s game over for the defense. He’s tremendous at making contested catches and has great body control in the end zone. When the ball is in the air, it’s a good chance he’s the one coming down with it.
Some scouts might be wary because LSU’s scheme is a perfect fit for Jefferson–maximizing his strengths and hiding his weaknesses. He also needs work on his route running, as he isn’t always the most precise.
Fortunately, he’s a quarterback’s best friend, as he catches anything thrown his way. His catch radius is massive and he makes even the most inaccurate quarterbacks look good.
Once he catches the ball, he’s dynamic with it in his hands. He can make defenders miss and eat up yards after the catch in a hurry.
All of this is exactly what the Packers need, as they lack playmakers on offense; right now it’s solely Adams and Aaron Jones. Jefferson would give Green Bay another offensive playmaker and someone defenses have to pay attention to and, even better, fear.
Next. 3 Players at 30 Packers are "reportedly" likely to pick. dark
He’s ranked as the 16th overall prospect in Mel Kiper Jr.’s last Big Board and 14th on Todd McShay’s. However, The Ringer predicts he’ll fall to the Packers at 30th overall. Regardless, Green Bay must make Jefferson a top priority in the first round of this year’s draft and make the aggressive move to add him to their roster.