Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell stated Friday that receiver Justin Jefferson is coping with a gentle hamstring pressure and will likely be held off form. Jefferson will likely be re-evaluated subsequent week, however he needs to be superb for Week 1. That is nice information for the Vikings and Fantasy managers.
Jefferson is at present the No. 2 receiver coming off the board based mostly on the FantasyPros Common Draft Place behind Ja’Marr Chase and simply forward of CeeDee Lamb. However is that the precise order?
On our Fantasy Football Today podcast Friday, we mentioned the highest three receivers this season. And Dan Schneier had a daring take about his extensive receiver rankings.
“I am truly toying with the concept of placing Lamb as my WR1 over Chase,” Dan stated. “I am debating it.”
Dan talked in regards to the addition of George Pickens and the way that “goes to assist (Chase)” with probably lighter protection. Adam Aizer pushed again on that principle.
“I believe it is going to elevate Dak Prescott,” Adam stated. “I do not assume it is going to elevate CeeDee Lamb.”
Adam introduced up examples of different latest receiver additions being a damaging for his or her teammates, together with Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson final season. Dave Richard countered with Chase nonetheless being elite with Tee Higgins and the identical with Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
It was a fantastic dialog on Chase, Jefferson and Lamb about 50 minutes into the present, and I encourage you to hear (in addition to every thing else we mentioned). I’ve it ranked Chase, Lamb and Jefferson, and all three of them are prime 5 general picks in PPR.
Here is what I wrote about all three in my Wide Receiver Tiers
On Chase …
Chase needs to be the No. 1 general decide, and he’ll hopefully carry out near the extent he was at in 2024 when he was the Triple Crown winner with essentially the most receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17). Solely Jerry Rice (1990), Sterling Sharpe (1992), Steve Smith (2005) and Cooper Kupp (2021) have achieved that for the reason that AFL-NFL merger in 1970. He is additionally the primary receiver in NFL historical past to eclipse each 1,700 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns in a single season. He averaged 23.7 PPR factors per sport, and Chase needs to be elite as soon as once more with Joe Burrow.
On Lamb …
Prescott (hamstring) is wholesome, and the final time he and Lamb performed a full season in 2023, Lamb averaged 23.7 PPR factors per sport because the No. 1 Fantasy receiver. He can positively get again to that degree of manufacturing, and I might draft Lamb as early as No. 3 general behind solely Chase and Bijan Robinson. We’ll see how a lot the addition of Pickens impacts Lamb, however I am not anxious. Lamb nonetheless averaged 17.6 PPR factors per sport in 2024 whereas coping with a shoulder harm, and Prescott was out for 9 video games. That is a strong flooring and sufficient cause to belief Lamb once more.
On Jefferson …
Jefferson had one other standout season in 2024 with 103 catches, 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns on 154 targets, and he averaged 18.7 PPR factors per sport. We have been anxious about Jefferson final season with Sam Darnold taking on at quarterback, and that did not matter. I would not fear a lot about J.J. McCarthy beginning since Jefferson is a star and staple in O’Connell’s offense. And take into account that Jefferson is the all-time chief in yards per sport at 96.5 (Chase is second at 87.5 and Calvin Johnson is third at 86.1).
Chase will stay the No. 1 general decide for me barring an harm, and I am anticipating one other standout marketing campaign in 2025. And the one means I might transfer Jefferson from WR3 is that if this hamstring lingers previous subsequent week, however I am not anxious.
As for Lamb, he might have given one of the best quote of coaching camp for any participant thus far about his outlook for the upcoming season.
“I really feel just like the league is aware of what occurs once I’m wholesome and I’ve Dak for a complete season,” Lamb stated. “However when you do not, I’ll fortunately present you what it is going to be like this yr. Truthfully, I am a dominant receiver. I do not like to talk extremely of myself, however I can not wait to point out you guys.”
Perhaps Dan has some extent that Lamb needs to be the No. 1 receiver. It is a enjoyable debate to debate the order for Chase, Lamb and Jefferson this yr.