Justin Jefferson ranks his Top 5 Route Runners in the NFL
Yahoo Sports’ Matt Harmon spoke with Minnesota Vikings star WR Justin Jefferson about his relationship with Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase, why he can’t wait to play against the Bengals this season, and which players are in his Top 5 Route Runners in the NFL.
Justin Jefferson joined Yahoo Sports on behalf of Sleep Number.
Video Transcript
[AUDIO LOGO]
MATT HARMON: All right, very excited to welcome to the show now, it's the best wide receiver in football. It's Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson here with Sleep Number. Justin, what's going on, man?
JUSTIN JEFFERSON: How you doing?
MATT HARMON: There's like a-- generally in fantasy this year, you're going first overall. And I think-- by the way, I think that's the right choice. But there's a small faction of people, and I don't think they're wrong about this, that think Ja'Marr could actually maybe be the top receiver in fantasy this year for a variety of different reasons. He could maybe have the season that you, Justin Jefferson, did last year. You think it's possible that he could have that type of season this year?
JUSTIN JEFFERSON: Yeah, I mean, I definitely don't put it past him. He definitely can have that type of season this year. I definitely think he could. I'm always hoping that he does the best-- him and Joe do the best that they can. But we're brothers at the end of the day. Of course, we're always going to compete with each other because we play the same position. But I definitely think I'm going to have a better season than him anyway.
[LAUGHTER]
MATT HARMON: So even if you-- don't get cute with it. Still take Justin Jefferson first overall in your fantasy draft. That's what I heard from that. What makes Ja'Marr such a unique special receiver? And as a person as well.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON: Yeah, I mean, you just never really know when he's going to hit that speed on you. He also has that physicality to run through tackles. Of course, he has a great guy throwing to him in Joe Burrow. So their connection hasn't left since the first time they have been together at LSU. They're always getting late in the playoffs and making it to the Super Bowl. So I mean, I guess we'll see what they do this year. And we play them this year, so it's going to be exciting.
MATT HARMON: Oh, how excited are you for that, to see those guys on the other side of the sideline?
JUSTIN JEFFERSON: I'm ready. I'm ready. Because we played them after my second year, and we lost. So I'm definitely excited to see them this year, playing in Cincinnati again. So we definitely need that-- I definitely need that revenge.
MATT HARMON: Yeah, time to get a little revenge there. That should be pretty exciting. Hey, I would love to get who you think are the top-five route runners in the NFL right now. And would love to compare your list to mine. I think we'll both have you on our list. But who do you think are the top-five route runners? You give your list. I'll give my list. We'll see how we compare.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON: I'll say a 1A and 1B, me and Davante Adams. I'll definitely say Davante Adams, one of the best at route running. I mean, I definitely grew up watching his tape and being a fan of his. And I definitely have to give that respect. I would say me and Davante Adams is one or two.
I definitely was a fan of Keenan Allen. Keenan Allen definitely has one of the best routes and releases, in my opinion. Number four, I'm gonna have to say Stefon Diggs. And then number five, I'll say Ja'Marr.
MATT HARMON: Not a bad list there. Pretty similar. I'd actually put Stef Diggs at number one. And 1A, 1B, you and Stefon Diggs there. For me, at number three, Davante Adams. It's tough, but I'm putting him at three. I think, honestly, anybody who wants to put those top three in any order, I'm not going to fight you for it.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON: Right, right.
MATT HARMON: That's the clear top three to me. I actually have AJ Brown at four. I've always been a real big fan of him as a route runner. He's so explosive. And I think last year, he showed that he was really good as an over-the-top guy as well.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON: For sure. For sure.
MATT HARMON: And I think that was special. And five is so tough, man. You could go with an ultra unique guy, Cooper Kupp. I think people forget how good Calvin Ridley was. The Lifetime Achievement Award should definitely go to Keenan Allen, like you said. But I'll go with the guy I've always loved in Tyler Lockett. I don't think there's anybody better at working back to the quarterback when you sell that vertical route. So I'll go with Tyler Lockett there, and that's like-- yeah, that's one of my guys. He's always been one of my guys.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON: That's not a bad list. That's not a bad list at all. I don't mind that one.
MATT HARMON: Hey, I know you teamed up this year with Sleep Number and Ja'Marr Chase for a new NFL campaign. That's got to be pretty exciting for you. Why don't you tell us about it?
JUSTIN JEFFERSON: Definitely exciting, one, to partner up with Sleep Number. Just seeing the results from getting that quality sleep, seeing the amount of hours that you're sleeping throughout the night, seeing the heartbeat, seeing all of these different things that goes in towards your recovery and your sleep, it's definitely been amazing. And with the commercial, just teaming up with Ja'Marr, being like old days again, being together, connecting with one another, laughing, and enjoying that time with us being on top of the game.
MATT HARMON: Hey, Justin Jefferson, appreciate your time. Everybody out there, make sure you're checking out what Justin's got going on with Ja'Marr Chase and Sleep Number and just be dialed in. We'll be rooting for you, Justin. Stay healthy this year, and have a great season.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON: Thank you. Appreciate you.
