Detroit Lions: 1 player from each division rival fans would love to steal

Minnesota Vikings: WR Justin Jefferson

All Jefferson has done in his first two NFL seasons is have more yards than any other receiver through that point in his career as well as before he turned 23 years old (3,016). And now the Vikings have an offensive mind as a head coach in Kevin O’Connell, who is bringing a more-pass oriented offense with him.

Of course the Lions could have drafted Jefferson in 2020. Third overall might have been deemed a tad aggressive in the moment, leaving aside the obvious mention of their own poor history with highly drafted receivers this side of Calvin Johnson, if they had. But Pro Football Focus’ re-draft of 2020 easily gave the Lions Jefferson over actual pick Jeff Okudah. And they weren’t the only team to miss on Jefferson, who was the 22nd overall pick.

Lions’ fans can only imagine Jefferson joining Amon-Ra St. Brown and DJ Chark in their receiving corps this year as they see him twice lining up for the Vikings.

If the Lions had drafted Jefferson in 2020, this year’s trade up for Jameson Williams in the draft likely doesn’t happen. There just wouldn’t have been such a need for talent at wide receiver. But maybe the trade up for Williams would’ve happened anyway…

Ranking players from their NFC North rivals (and maybe from all of the other 31 teams) they’d like the team to steal, Jefferson would surely come in No. 1 for the Lions’ fans.

Honorable Mention: WR K.J. Osborn, LB Eric Kendricks, S Harrison Smith