Minnesota Vikings
15 Jan 2022, 16:07 GMT+10
Eric Smith
EAGAN, Minn. - Make it back-to-back All-Pro seasons for Justin Jefferson to begin his career.
The Vikings wide receiver was named an All-Pro by TheAssociated Press on Friday,
landing a Second-Team spot for the second straight season.
Jefferson was joined on the Second Team by Bengals rookie Ja'Marr Chase, who teamed with Jefferson at LSU.
Jefferson took the league by storm in 2020, posting a then-Super Bowl-era record with 1,400 receiving yards. Chase topped that mark with 1,455 this season.
The 22nd overall pick of 2020 was even better in his second season, topping his rookie numbers in key categories.
Jefferson hauled in 108 receptions, which ranked fourth in the league. He is tied with Michael Thomas for the most receptions (196) in a player's first two NFL seasons.
He also racked up 1,616 receiving yards - the second-most in the NFL in 2021 - and fell just short of Randy Moss' single-season record of 1,632 yards that was set back in 2003. Moss, Jefferson and Chase are the only rookie wide receivers to make the All-Pro team at their position since 1984.
And Jefferson scored 10 touchdowns, a career-best as he was one of just eight pass catchers to find the end zone 10 or more times in 2021.
Jefferson posted seven 100-yard games in 2021 and recorded seven such games in 2020.
He dazzled this past November, catching 24 passes for 464 yards and three touchdowns as he earned NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors.
His best performances came in back-to-back November wins against the Chargers and Packers, victories that helped keep the Vikings in the NFC playoff picture at the time.
Jefferson tied his career-high with nine receptions against Los Angeles, totaling 143 receiving yards in a 27-20 road win. He then dominated the Packers at home with eight catches for 169 yards and a pair of touchdowns, an outing that earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
He then set career bests in catches (11) and yards (182) against the Lions in Week 13, also finding the end zone in Detroit.
Jefferson said after Sunday's season finale that he isn't content with the success he's had to this point.
"I mean, this is only my second year. There's so many things that I have to learn, have to experience, so this is only the start for me," Jefferson said. "I'm only just reaching the top. A lot of these other guys, six years in, seven years in, and being at the top of the league, and it's my second.
"I got so many more things to overcome, so many more things to learn, achieve, and I'm just here to start," Jefferson added.
All-Pro First Team
OFFENSE
Quarterback - Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
Running Back - Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis
Tight End - Mark Andrews, Baltimore
Wide Receivers - Davante Adams, Green Bay; Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams; Deebo Samuel, San Francisco
Left Tackle - Trent Williams, San Francisco
Right Tackle - Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay
Left Guard - Joel Bitonio, Cleveland
Right Guard - Zack Martin, Dallas
Center - Jason Kelce, Philadelphia
DEFENSE
Edge Rushers - T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh; Myles Garrett, Cleveland
Interior Linemen - Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams; Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh
Linebackers - Darius Leonard, Indianapolis; Micah Parsons, Dallas; De'Vondre Campbell, Green Bay
Cornerbacks - Trevon Diggs, Dallas; Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams
Safeties - Kevin Byard, Tennessee; Jordan Poyer, Buffalo
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker - Justin Tucker, Baltimore
Punter - A.J. Cole, Las Vegas
Kick Returner - Braxton Berrios, New York Jets
Punt Returner - Devin Duvernay, Baltimore
Special Teamer - J. T. Gray, New Orleans
Long Snapper - Luke Rhodes, Indianapolis
All-Pro Second Team
OFFENSE
Quarterback - Tom Brady, Tampa Bay
Running Back - VACANT
Tight End - Travis Kelce, Kansas City
Wide Receivers - Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati; Justin Jefferson, Minnesota
Left Tackle - Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers
Right Tackle - Lane Johnson, Philadelphia
Left Guard - Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis
Right Guard - Wyatt Teller, Cleveland
Center - Corey Linsley, Los Angeles Chargers
DEFENSE
Edge Rushers - Robert Quinn, Chicago; Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas
Interior Linemen - Chris Jones, Kansas City; Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee
Linebackers - Demario Davis, New Orleans; Roquan Smith, Chicago; Bobby Wagner, Seattle
Cornerbacks - J.C. Jackson, New England; A.J. Terrell, Atlanta
Safeties - Justin Simmons, Denver, Micah Hyde, Buffalo, and Budda Baker, Arizona (tie)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker - Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas
Punter - Bryan Anger, Dallas
Kick Returner - Andre Roberts, Los Angeles Chargers
Punt Returner - Jakeem Grant, Chicago
Special Teamer - Matthew Slater, New England, and Ashton Dulin, Indianapolis
Long Snapper - Josh Harris, Atlanta
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