With The First Pick
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2020 NFL Draft: Ceiling the big question for LSU WR Justin Jefferson

By Nicholas McGee

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson #2 of the LSU Tigers celebrates as the time is ticking away during the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. LSU defeated Clemson 42 to 25. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson #2 of the LSU Tigers celebrates as the time is ticking away during the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. LSU defeated Clemson 42 to 25. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 28: Wide receiver Justin Jefferson #2 of the LSU Tigers reacts to a play during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 28: Wide receiver Justin Jefferson #2 of the LSU Tigers reacts to a play during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Strengths

Jefferson enjoyed a remarkable 2019 season, racking up 1,540 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns as LSU marched to the National Championship. His incredible production in his final season with the Tigers was down in large part to his route-running, in which he displays a great deal of nuance.

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Able to win with his stem because of his foot quickness, Jefferson uses a variety of tools to get separation from defenders. Hesitation and stop-and-go moves are a key part of his arsenal, and he excels at selling the deep route to put defenders on their heels and open space in the intermediate areas.

He does a superb job of sinking into routes that see him break to the ball and, when he gets it in his hands on short routes, shows the fluid movement to make defenders miss and pick up extra yardage.

Jefferson possesses the contact balance to shake off tackle attempts and the toughness he demonstrates as a runner is apparent on scramble drills. Indeed, Jefferson has the awareness to find ways to make himself available in such situations and will fight for position at the catch point.

Often Jefferson does not need to display the same scrappiness when going up for the ball as his 6’1″ and 202-pound frame gives him an advantage over a lot of cornerbacks. He excels at high-pointing the ball and shows the body control to be able to adjust to it in the air.

His willingness to contribute in the blocking game cannot be questioned, but there are still several doubts around Jefferson that should keep him from being considered among the premier receivers in the class.

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