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Vikings WR Justin Jefferson 'definitely, definitely' glad Eagles didn't draft him in 2020

The 2020 NFL draft didn't go exactly as planned for Justin Jefferson. The wide receiver out of LSU had been forecasted to go to the Philadelphia Eagles, who were (and are) in desperate need of good players at that position. But when the Eagles' pick came up at No. 21, it wasn't Jefferson's name that was called. It was Jalen Reagor. That twist of fate allowed Jefferson to be picked by the Minnesota Vikings at No. 22.

In an interview with GQ, Jefferson discussed how it felt to go through all that. In the end, he's thrilled things turned out the way they did.

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. Honestly. 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.

It might've taken a tiny bit of adjustment before Jefferson started feeling happy and grateful that he fell to the Vikings, but the Vikings were ecstatic immediately.

The Vikings weren't just ecstatic, they were also laughing at the Eagles for skipping Jefferson and taking Reagor instead. Jefferson doesn't feel exactly that way about the Eagles, but he definitely feels a certain way about playing them in the future.

I’ll always treat every game the same, no matter who I’m playing. But Philly will definitely be edgier. You know, especially because they passed on me.

When the Eagles play the Vikings, Philly fans will also have feelings — feelings of regret, sadness, and anger that their favorite team picked Reagor over Jefferson. In his rookie year, Reagor had 396 receiving yards and one touchdown. Jefferson, on the other hand, had 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns. Eagles fans will think about what might've been, but Jefferson won't be thinking about that at all.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 27: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Justin Jefferson couldn't be happier to be on the Vikings after the Eagles passed on him in the 2020 NFL draft. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

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