That latter point, and Jets’ signature stat – his 7,432 career receiving yards are the most by any player within his first five NFL seasons – should in theory assuage any doubters. Jefferson is one-of-one after all.
Clay doesn’t expect any sort of decline, either. In fact, he projected Jefferson to tally his second-most catches in a single season (116), nearly notch his fourth go-round with 1,500-plus yards (1,459) and reset his highwater mark for touchdowns (he had 10 in 2021 and 2024), finding the end zone on 11 occasions.
Deservingly, Jefferson received the top recognition at his position and landed at No. 7 overall.
The 14 wide receivers featured after him in ESPN’s catalog of superstars are Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase (No. 8), Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb (19), Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown (26), L.A. Ram Puka Nacua (36), New York Giant Malik Nabers (40), Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown (42), Houston’s Nico Collins (45), Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas, Jr. (46), Miami’s Tyreek Hill (47), Washington’s Terry McLaurin (74), Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans (80), New York Jet Garrett Wilson (82), Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins (86) and L.A. Charger Ladd McConkey (94).
The Top 6, so you know, are Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Myles Garrett, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Pat Surtain II.