Justin Jefferson ranked behind Ja’Marr Chase in 2026 NFL Top 100

Justin Jefferson ranks No. 16 in PFN’s 2026 NFL Top 100, trailing former LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase (No. 9) in the latest wide receiver rankings. Both stars remain elite, but Chase edges out Jefferson after a 2025 season marred by Minnesota’s quarterback woes.

Why Jefferson fell behind Chase in 2026 rankings

PFN analyst Jason Katz noted Jefferson’s 2025 struggles, averaging just 2.0 yards per route run with rookie QB JJ McCarthy. Yet Katz remains optimistic: “He’s gonna remind the entire world just how elite he is in 2026.” Jefferson still cracked 1,000 yards for the sixth straight season, a feat no other WR has matched.

Chase, meanwhile, finished No. 5 in PFN’s WR Impact Score despite missing quarterback Joe Burrow for half the season. He led the league with 1,412 yards and 125 receptions in 2025, proving his durability and elite playmaking.

What the rankings mean for Jefferson’s legacy

Jacob Infante called Jefferson’s 1,048-yard 2025 season a “down year” by his standards. Still, he holds the record for most receiving yards through six seasons. Infante praised Jefferson’s route-running and athleticism, calling him one of the NFL’s best ball-trackers.

Chase’s consistency earned him the No. 2 WR spot behind Puka Nacua. He’s been a top-10 WR in PFN’s model four times, including a league-leading 94.5 grade in 2024.

Can Jefferson reclaim the WR1 title?

Both Jefferson and Chase, 26 and 27 respectively, are in their primes. With better quarterback play, Jefferson could surge back into the WR1 conversation. Chase, meanwhile, remains the league’s most dominant receiver.

As Infante put it: “Don’t be surprised if these two former LSU teammates rank atop the wide receiver position and potentially the league as a whole.”