Vikings WR Justin Jefferson Has Savage Response to Teams That Passed on Him in NFL Draft

LSU's Justin Jefferson entered the 2020 NFL Draft as one of the top wide receivers available. That made perfect sense: He had 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns last season on a national champion Tigers team.

That is why it was surprising when four receivers were taken ahead of him. Henry Ruggs went off the board first at pick No. 12, followed by Alabama teammate Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb of Oklahoma, and TCU's Jalen Reagor. The Minnesota Vikings took Jefferson at No. 22 overall, one pick after Reagor went to Philadelphia, and the rookie has a clear message for the teams that passed on him.

#Vikings rookie WR Justin Jefferson was asked by @ZachGelb what his reaction was to the #Eagles passing on him: “Every single person that picked a receiver instead of me are going to pay. I’m going to show them that I am the better receiver than the pick that they had."
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) April 30, 2020

That is a direct shot at the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles. And it oozes with swagger.

Jefferson now has some early motivation to be great, which is always good for a rookie getting his first taste of big boy football.

Vikings' newest WR Justin Jefferson caught 92.3% of his contested targets in 2019.

By far the best in college football. pic.twitter.com/NSapOV7QaN
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 24, 2020

Jefferson was able to play with No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow in college, and now has a chance to recreate the same success with Kirk Cousins. Stefon Diggs was traded to Buffalo this offseason, and the Vikings invested in Jefferson as a franchise player. Now, it is up to him to live up to his strong words about the teams that passed on him.