Add Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson to the list of people who thought the Philadelphia Eagles would select him during last year's draft.
The Eagles infamously passed on Jefferson with the 21st overall pick in favor of Jalen Reagor during the 2020 draft. The Vikings then selected Jefferson at No. 22. The move shocked many, including Jefferson.
"Leading up to the draft, you know, they had all of those mock drafts and people sharing their opinions on who is going to go where. A lot of people had me going to Philly. And, I thought I was going to Philly," Jefferson told GQ's Tyler R. Tynes.
Jefferson said he's happy he ended up in Minnesota, though.
He added: "The funny part is, Philly was on the board and then Minnesota called me. At first, I thought it was Philly. But, I answered the phone and it was Minnesota. It's crazy how all of that happened and everything. But, I'm definitely, definitely, definitely excited that I'm on the Vikings rather than Philly."
The rookies headed in opposite directions during their first season. Reagor managed to record just 396 yards and one touchdown while Jefferson made an instant impact, earning a Pro Bowl selection after a historic campaign. He smashed the rookie record for receiving yards in a season with 1,400.
The 21-year-old looks forward to crossing paths with the team that passed on him.
"I'll always treat every game the same, no matter who I'm playing," he said. "But Philly will definitely be edgier."
