Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been in an awful slump over the last few weeks. In the previous three games, Jefferson has been held to six receptions for 37 yards and hasn't scored a touchdown during that span. The 26-year-old clearly isn't on the same page as quarterback J.J. McCarthy right now. The upside is too high for fantasy managers to keep Jefferson on the bench this weekend. He has a favorable matchup against the New York Giants in Week 16. A secondary that has allowed the fifth-most yards to wideouts this season. The duds aren't due to a lack of ability, but because of inconsistent quarterback play. Despite the rough stretch, Jefferson comes in as RotoBaller's WR22 in the latest rankings and will try to break out of his slump in a plus matchup vs. the Giants in Week 16.
Dec 19, 2025 6:15 PM EST
For fantasy managers still playing into the money weeks of the season, the decision to start or sit Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson against the New York Giants might come with a bit of heartburn. A prolonged slump has Jefferson in risky WR2 territory, which sounds baffling, given his past production. The former LSU Tiger has just six catches for 37 yards in the past three weeks, has not scored a touchdown since Week 9, hasn't eclipsed 80 yards since Week 5, and missed out on two touchdowns last week -- one called back because of a penalty and one he dropped. Overall, however, the Vikings and quarterback J.J. McCarthy have played significantly better during the past two weeks with back-to-back wins in which the offense scored more than 30 points. Additionally, the matchup is great, as the Giants have surrendered the fourth-most air yards and rank 30th against half-PPR receivers. Managers have surely been burned, but Jefferson still has an ever-present week-winning potential that figures to eventually make an appearance again.
Dec 19, 2025 4:30 PM EST
For the second straight week, the Minnesota Vikings put together an excellent offensive day with modest output from wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who was held to only two catches in his team's 34-26 victory against the Dallas Cowboys. The Vikings targeted Jefferson a team-high eight times, but the result was two catches for 22 yards. It was a hard-luck night for Jefferson, who caught a touchdown from quarterback J.J. McCarthy that was negated by an illegal formation penalty in the first half, missed out on a would-have-been big play when McCarthy overthrew him in the fourth quarter, and then dropped a touchdown later on the same drive. Managers who survived into Week 16 will see Jefferson in a favorable setting against the New York Giants, yet with just six catches in the past three games, it's getting more and more difficult to trust Minnesota's offense to get Jefferson the ball.
Dec 15, 2025 8:07 AM EST
Week 15, which marks the start of the fantasy playoffs in many leagues, brings about an especially difficult call for fantasy managers who roster Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson ahead of a primetime game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. On one hand, Jefferson remains one of the game's best; he's healthy, and he's up against a Cowboys defense that has allowed more points to fantasy receivers than any other team. On the other hand, the superstar receiver's recent lack of production is staggering. Jefferson hasn't finished among the top 20 PPR receivers since Week 9, and he has just 15 combined receiving yards in Minnesota's past two games. Managers who have been burned surely feel cautious; however, the matchup is favorable, and Jefferson is still too good to completely overlook. Factoring in the offense's struggles as they break in quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Jefferson is more of a WR2/high-end flex, but there is serious potential against a Dallas defense that has given up a ton of production to wide receivers this season.
Dec 12, 2025 4:23 PM EST
The Minnesota Vikings scored a thorough 31-0 victory against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, but star wide receiver Justin Jefferson finished the day with only two catches on four targets for 11 yards. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Jefferson was hampered by something completely unexpected this week: The Vikings were ahead by so much that the team leaned on the running attack and took Jefferson out of the game in the fourth quarter. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw no interceptions and tossed three touchdown passes, but all three were to tight ends. It was yet another letdown for fantasy managers who roster Jefferson, though Sunday certainly gave some hope that Minnesota's offense can actually move the ball again. The superstar receiver will put managers in a bind next week, as he'll take a continued slump into a great matchup against a struggling Dallas defense.
Dec 7, 2025 4:59 PM EST
Fantasy managers who roster Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson ahead of the Week 14 game against Washington will be asking themselves what will happen when a very movable object meets an even more stoppable force. The Commanders' defense ranks a lowly 28th against half-PPR receivers, but calling the Vikings "inept" recently doesn't even begin to describe it. Minnesota is now turning over the ball on more than 17% of its possessions, scoring on fewer than one-third of them, and is coming off the franchise's first shutout defeat in 18 years last week at Seattle. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (concussion) is slated to return after Max Brosmer's four-interception debacle last week, which could slightly help the superstar receiver, who is on track for career-low rates of catches, yards, and touchdowns. The Vikings have been so volatile that Jefferson should be considered a WR2, but he ultimately remains an All-Pro receiver facing a bad defense this week, giving some hope for a bounce-back game.
Dec 5, 2025 3:35 PM EST
Playing alongside an undrafted rookie at quarterback, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson caught just two of six targets for four yards in a 26-0 loss on Sunday at Seattle. Jefferson had negative receiving yardage until late in the fourth quarter as Minnesota looked woeful yet again, this time behind first-time starting quarterback Max Brosmer. The rookie tossed four interceptions, including one for a touchdown, as Minnesota gained only 162 total yards on the day. The Vikings have scored just 42 total points the past four weeks, making the prospect of starting any player on this offense -- even one as good as Jefferson -- a tough sell at the moment. Minnesota will return home to play Washington in Week 14.
Nov 30, 2025 6:57 PM EST
The circumstances for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson have gone from bad to worse as the Vikings will be down to their third-string quarterback in Week 13 at the Seattle Seahawks. Already without backup Carson Wentz (shoulder) for the season, starter J.J. McCarthy (concussion) will miss yet another game, leaving undrafted rookie Max Brosmer to make his first NFL start. The Vikings also could be without star left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee, foot) and have ruled out starting left guard Donovan Jackson (ankle). Against a Seattle defense allowing scoring drives at the second-best rate in the league, it's tough sledding even for one of the league's best receivers. Jefferson has performed with poor QB play before, but given the long odds, he should be considered more of a WR2 or high-end flex this week.
Nov 28, 2025 3:59 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson finished Sunday with four catches on six targets for 48 receiving yards in a 23-6 loss at Green Bay. The superstar receiver once again was hampered by a horrible offensive performance overall, as Minnesota gained 145 total yards as a team. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy finished 12-for-19 passing for 89 with two interceptions as the Vikings managed to run only 45 total plays. Jefferson still led the team in receiving, but that didn't say much on a day in which Minnesota gained four yards in the second half. Fantasy managers will have to hope the Vikings can turn the corner, and quickly, as the team travels to Seattle in Week 13.
Nov 23, 2025 4:11 PM EST
The Minnesota Vikings are going through a rough patch right now, but Justin Jefferson remains a WR1 candidate when the team travels to Green Bay in Week 12. The Vikings are averaging just 58 plays during their past three games with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, during which the offense has been a mess of drops, penalties, and bad throws. Through all of it, Jefferson still ranks 13th overall among PPR receivers, and he's still earned at least nine targets in seven straight games. Green Bay ranks ninth overall against half-PPR receivers, presenting a difficult matchup for an offense already struggling. But even as the Vikings appear committed to riding with McCarthy's ups and downs, Jefferson is still a superstar who should be in fantasy lineups come Sunday.
Nov 21, 2025 3:24 PM EST
The Minnesota Vikings have been among the NFL's more disappointing teams in 2025, and superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson said getting back to winning again begins with him. As first-time starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy has struggled, the Vikings have dropped to 4-6. Jefferson was visibly frustrated in a loss to Chicago on Sunday, but said that he aims to lead the turnaround. "As a team, as a captain, as a leader of this team, I have to be the first one out there. I have to be headfirst, leading us into that direction of winning, of being where we need to be," Jefferson said, according to The Athletic. While the Vikings have struggled and Jefferson is having a slightly down year by his standards, he's still the No. 13 overall PPR receiver. With Minnesota looking at a favorable schedule in the fantasy playoffs, managers have good reason to hope for a few big weeks at the best possible time.
Nov 18, 2025 11:33 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is yet again a WR1 when the Vikings play host to the Chicago Bears in Week 11. The superstar has been quieter than normal during the past month as backup quarterback Carson Wentz and second-year starter J.J. McCarthy lead the charge for an up-and-down offense, but Jefferson still has been earning a ton of targets. McCarthy has targeted Jefferson 21 times in the past two weeks but only connected on 10, though the pair collaborated for a tide-turning touchdown in the first meeting against Chicago that sparked a fourth-quarter comeback. The Bears rank 24th against PPR receivers, offering a chance for Jefferson to break his cold streak. The Vikings likely will be erratic as they break in a 22-year-old QB, but the matchup and Jefferson's ability should have the superstar locked into lineups in all formats.
Nov 14, 2025 6:47 PM EST
Coming off a frustrating loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson vowed to improve following a rare quiet game. Jefferson was targeted 12 times, but caught only four for 37 yards. A number of factors led to Minnesota's struggles, most notably eight false start penalties that had the offense playing from behind most of the day. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the NFL's youngest starter at age 22, has been inconsistent, but the Vikings saw promise in two near-connections with Jefferson. On the first, McCarthy saw Baltimore's zero coverage and heaved a deep ball to Jefferson, who lost his footing with incidental contact, leading to an interception. The star receiver also nearly caught a touchdown on an accurate ball in traffic that would have been a tough catch, but he said he views it as his job to "make the 50-50 opportunity catches look 70-30," according to The Athletic. For fantasy managers, Jefferson is a must-start player every week, but the Vikings look like they're going to be erratic as they weather McCarthy's growing pains.
Nov 11, 2025 10:12 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is yet again a WR1 option when his team plays host to the Baltimore Ravens, who have allowed opposing teams to score on 48% of their drives, the fourth-highest rate in the NFL. Baltimore ranks 23rd against PPR receivers this season and has allowed the seventh-most air yards on the season, though the Ravens have looked significantly improved during the past month, during which they've allowed their past three opponents an average of 13 points. Behind quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who is playing for the first time after missing his entire rookie season and five games this year, the Vikings threw for only 143 yards last week in a win at Detroit. Even in a light week, Jefferson still drew nine targets and caught a touchdown, which should inspire some optimism as Minnesota sticks with McCarthy full-time. Though Minnesota figures to have some bumps in the road with a young quarterback, Jefferson is too good to be held in check for long stretches.
Nov 7, 2025 6:11 PM EST
The Minnesota Vikings have struggled immensely in recent weeks, but wide receiver Justin Jefferson remains a clear WR1 with his team set to travel to Detroit in Week 9. Even though Detroit has had the better of the division matchup in recent years, Jefferson has tormented the Lions during his career. In just 10 games against Detroit, Jefferson has more than 1,200 yards, 72 catches, and four touchdowns. Detroit ranks 26th against half-PPR receivers this season, largely because it has surrendered 14 receiving touchdowns in seven games. Notably, Minnesota will bring back starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle), but a second-to-last sack rate behind a beaten-up offensive line remains a major concern. The Lions will see the return of starting cornerback Terrion Arnold (shoulder), but Jefferson still should be starting in every format, as usual.
Oct 31, 2025 4:50 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson caught seven of his 11 targets for 74 yards during Thursday's Week 8 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers. Jefferson was heavily targeted by quarterback Carson Wentz, who made yet another start in place of the injured J.J. McCarthy (ankle). The star receiver had a relatively modest showing by his standards, finishing with fewer than 75 yards for the first time since Week 1. He remains Wentz's No. 1 target, but his upside is capped when the offense struggles to stay on the field. Jefferson will look to bounce back as a solid WR1 against the Detroit Lions in Week 9, especially if McCarthy can return from his five-game absence.
Oct 24, 2025 12:29 AM EST
Superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings has an outstanding matchup and should be viewed as a top-tier WR1 against the floundering Los Angeles Chargers defense in this week's Thursday Night Football game. The Chargers are giving up points on more than 46% of drives, which ranks 28th in the league, and were just ransacked by the Indianapolis Colts' pass-catchers, who piled up a whopping 288 yards in a Week 7 rout. Minnesota will be stuck starting backup quarterback Carson Wentz for another week, though the veteran QB is still putting up solid yardage numbers and has peppered Jefferson with double-digit targets three games in a row. Ranked as RotoBaller's No. 2 overall receiver heading into Week 8, managers should start Jefferson in every format.
Oct 22, 2025 9:59 PM EST
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings should once again be glued into starting lineups when his team takes on a Philadelphia Eagles team that has uncharacteristically struggled in 2025. The Eagles, who infamously passed on Jefferson to select Jalen Reagor, haven't been nearly as dominant as they were in their run to a Super Bowl last season. Philly is allowing points on more than 43% of opposing drives, which ranks 26th, and also ranks in the bottom 10 of average depth of target (29th), pressure percentage (27th), and sacks (25th). With Minnesota set to start backup quarterback Carson Wentz for at least one more week, getting the ball to Jefferson, who had 22 targets in the past two games, should be a priority again.
Oct 17, 2025 4:40 PM EST
The Minnesota Vikings are on a bye in Week 6, but their return to the field could have fantasy implications for wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) has not played since Week 2, but the team is targeting Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles as his projected return. Jefferson drew 6.5 targets in two games with McCarthy compared to 9.7 with backup Carson Wentz, though Minnesota has been much more intentional about getting their star wideout the ball in the past two weeks, throwing his way a robust 22 times. Despite Minnesota facing tons of injury issues on the offensive line and both opponents surely game-planning for Jefferson to be heavily featured, he still put up 100-yard efforts in both games. Among fantasy receivers, Jefferson is about as QB-proof as there is, but McCarthy's return still will be a variable worth monitoring.
Oct 7, 2025 2:11 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson again showed why he's one of the best in football Sunday against Cleveland, going for seven catches and 123 yards in Minnesota's 21-17 comeback win in London. The All-Pro drew a game-best 11 targets and pulled down an excellent 21-yard catch on one of the NFL's top corners, Cleveland's Denzel Ward, to aid the Vikings' game-winning, 80-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Fantasy managers have to be encouraged by Jefferson's past two weeks, in which he drew 11 targets and surpassed 100 yards in both games. The beat-up Vikings will take their bye in Week 6 before likely seeing the return of starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) in Week 7.
Oct 5, 2025 1:21 PM EST
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