LSU Football: Mel Kiper predicts where Justin Jefferson will be drafted

Former LSU football wide receiver Justin Jefferson is expected to be one the top wide receivers selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.

LSU football wide receiver Justin Jefferson improved his draft stock significantly at the 2020 combine, thanks to his impressive time in the 40 yard dash.

One of the biggest questions surrounding Jefferson ahead of the combine was his speed. For whatever reason, he was viewed by many draft pundits as a player who lacked breakaway speed.

Jefferson proved those pundits wrong by running a 4.43 in the 40.

As a result, Jefferson’s name has vaulted up draft boards.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper, one of the most respected names in the draft analyst business, recently predicted where he thinks Jefferson will be drafted.

Kiper said in a conference call, via NoLa.com, that he thinks Jefferson will be selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 21 overall selection. The ESPN draft analyst added that he could also see Jefferson going to the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 19 pick or to the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 22 pick.

Here’s what Kiper said about Jefferson:

"Had a great year. He became more consistent catching the ball, he benefited from Joe Brady’s influence, as well. He ran a 4.43 at the combine, a 37.5 (inch) vertical on the heels of what you saw during his career and his improvement."

Kiper said he believes Jefferson is the fourth best wide receiver in the draft, behind Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III.

Whoever lands Jefferson will be getting a wide receiver that was incredibly productive in 2019.

As a junior last season, Jefferson proved to be one of the most reliable pass catchers in the nation, reeling in 111 passes for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Those are impressive numbers for any wide receiver, but they’re even more impressive when they’re put up in the ultra competitive SEC West.