MINNEAPOLIS -- Justin Jefferson's acclimation period to the NFL lasted all of two weeks.
The Minnesota Vikings' rookie receiver exploded in his third game as a pro on Sunday with seven catches for 175 yards and a touchdown. Had the Vikings not lost in distressing fashion to the Tennessee Titans, Jefferson's performance would have been the talk of the NFL.
In many ways it still was. Fantasy managers scrambled to claim Jefferson via waivers, and his coaches, teammates and NFL analysts boasted about what the first-round pick provides the Vikings' offense.
The Vikings knew Jefferson, 21, was a dynamic inside threat after he set an LSU single-season record in 2019 with 111 catches, 100 of which came on routes out of the slot. But they envisioned him as more than a slot receiver when they drafted him 22nd overall as the heir apparent to Stefon Diggs, who was traded to the Buffalo Bills. Jefferson started at the X receiver (split end, aligning on the weak side of the formation) for the first time and played 45 snaps there against Tennessee. He lined up in the slot for 54 snaps in Weeks 1 and 2.
That showed his teammates and the NFL world one thing.
"That he's ready to play; he's ready to play at a high level and be a full-time starter in this league," Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen said. "Obviously, with the game he had and the things he was able to do against some good corners that have had a lot of experience in this league shows that he's ready to have his number called. He's ready to be a big contributor in this offense, and that's exciting for us as an offense moving forward."
What's clear is the value of a dynamic No. 2 receiver in opening things up for quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Vikings' offense.
It was evident after the first two losses that the Vikings needed to find methods for incorporating other playmakers. That included running back Dalvin Cook, whose career-high 181 yards rushing forced Tennessee to account for more than just Minnesota's passing attack.
Through three games, Cousins has 78 passing attempts with 21 targets going to Thielen. While Thielen's stat line (three catches for 29 yards and a touchdown) against Tennessee might earn him a knock in fantasy, fewer targets helped make the Titans account for more than one receiver.
Cousins was 6-of-7 for 104 yards and six first downs targeting Jefferson in the first half. In the Vikings' first two games combined, Cousins was 5-of-6 for 70 yards and three first downs when throwing to Jefferson.
Jefferson showed quickly he has earned his quarterback's trust to compete for contested catches and the throws that go to veteran playmakers.
"There were obviously a lot of shorter throws, quick-gain throws, intermediate catches that he brought in that were not easy catches," Cousins said. "Or he made an intermediate catch and was able to turn up the sideline and run with the football for another big chunk of yards.
"It was a combination of different types of plays. He was just a consistent contributor on Sunday, and that's great to see. It's great to see the talent that he brought to the offense and that it certainly wasn't too big for him. We will try to build on that as best we can as we move forward here."
It took Jefferson two games to surpass Bisi Johnson as Minnesota's No. 2 receiver, which is where all signs point to him staying and thriving.
"If I were to sit here and told you I thought he was going to do what he did last week -- that was incredible," offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak said. "We were able to get him open on some plays, Kirk made some great throws, he made some great catches. But what I was talking about was his ability to lock in on a game plan from a positional standpoint, how we tried to settle him down on exactly what we're asking him to do, moving around and doing those types of things.
"I just think his response has led to some quick production. Hopefully, there'll be more. We just need to continue to ask more of him, and he's shown every indication he can handle it."