Justin Jefferson among WR prospects who met with Eagles: 3 Reactions

2. Here’s where he shines.

There were several reasons that Jefferson was able to create such a successful career in his two years at LSU. Some of the credit must go to getting some stellar quarterback play out of Burrow, but it’s his skill set that makes him a potential first-round selection.

One of Jefferson’s greatest strengths is a quality that Eagles fans have desperately longed for in a receiver, reliable hands. Dropped passes aren’t referenced as often in college football, but Jefferson doesn’t have any issues there. He’s very secure in bringing the ball in, and that led to him pulling in 111 receptions during his junior season.

Jefferson measured in at a little over six-foot-one inches tall at the 2020 NFL Combine with an arm length of 33 inches and a 78-inch wingspan. This is a huge strength for the receiver, as his length allows him to make receptions over the heads of defenders and pull in passes that would be slightly out of reach of shorter receivers.

Jefferson’s consistent production was also due to his ability to run meticulous routes and make things happen once he had the ball in his hands. His superb control over his body is otherworldly, and it allows him to break arm tackles and juke opponents in important moments. During the College Football Playoff National Championship, Jefferson turned a line-of-scrimmage reception into an 18-yard gain, avoiding several potential tackles on the way to the first down marker and halting on a dime to send a few other defenders flying.

Throughout his career, he’s often stepped up in critical times. Jefferson is also a stellar red-zone receiver, with 12 of his 18 touchdowns last season being from within the opponent’s 19-yard line. He was also huge in moving the chains for the Tigers, averaging 10.2 yards per reception on third downs.