CeeDee Lamb vs Justin Jefferson: who is the better NFL wide receiver?

Prior to the start of the 2024 NFL season, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb signed a new four-year-contract with the Dallas Cowboys worth a reported $136m with $100m guaranteed. This made him the second highest paid non-QB in the NFL.

The highest-paid player is another wide receiver, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, whose contract dating back to June 2024 is worth $140m with $110m guaranteed. Both Lamb and Jefferson were drafted out of the same class in 2020, the former being picked five places above Jefferson at number 17, whilst the latter was taken at number 22.

They were not the top WRs selected in that draft however. The Raiders selected Henry Ruggs at 12, the Broncos took Jerry Jeudy at 15 while Jalen Reagon was picked by Eagles at 21. There may be regret by all of those teams when they see just how good Lamb and Jefferson have become!

The pair have unquestionably become two of the best WRs in the NFL and they are paid accordingly.

As it stands, Jefferson boasts the bigger contract but is it justified? Or is CeeDee Lamb a better WR than the Vikings star when taking into account the numbers?

We’ve delved deep into the data of both players to work out who is the better wide receiver.

GAMES PLAYED

When it comes to games played, Dallas have had more value for their money than Minnesota, with Lamb featuring in 72 NFL fixtures over the past four years compared to Jefferson’s 65. This is due to a hamstring injury which saw Jefferson only play ten games for the Viking’s last year, whilst Lamb played 16. Both players have proved to be incredibly durable but Lamb just has the edge in this department so far.

RECEPTIONS

Whilst both WR’s have passed 100 receptions in two separate NFL seasons each, Lamb has recorded 427 receptions in total, nine more than Jefferson over the course of his professional career so far. Considering Jefferson has played less matches however, his numbers are even more impressive taking that into consideration.

YARDS

When it comes to receiving yards, Justin Jefferson is clear of CeeDee Lamb despite having played seven less NFL games. The notorious speed and agility of Jefferson has helped him account for 6349 receiving yards, whilst Lamb has accumulated 5612. An impressive number, but way down on Jefferson. Lamb has not been helped by injuries to QB Dak Prescott in both 2020 and 2022 seasons although he has arguably had a better and more stable QB supporting him than Jefferson has had.

TOUCHDOWNS

Which of these two studs have proven more clutch in the end zone over the past four years? According to the numbers there is nothing to separate them with both Lamb and Jefferson having each registered 34 touchdowns.

Both have racked up ten or more touchdowns across one full season, Lamb's tally of 12 in 2023 being the highest individual number. This was the year that Jefferson missed a huge chunk of time due to injury and had he featured for Minnesota all season, he may well have matched Lamb. It is the fewer matches played that makes Jefferson's numbers all the more impressive.

WIN/LOSS RECORD

Perhaps unsurprisingly when considering the team he plays for, CeeDee Lamb boasts a higher win-ratio across his NFL career so far (62.5%) than that of Justin Jefferson (53.8%)

The Dallas Cowboys have made the playoffs in three of the four years Lamb has been on the team, whilst Minnesota Vikings are still yet to compete in a playoff match since drafting Jefferson. This reflects less on Lamb's ability compared to Jefferson and more on the fact that he has better teammates around him skill-wise.

WHO IS THE BETTER WIDE RECEIVER?

The numbers are not conclusive, mainly due to Jefferson's time missed in 2023, giving Lamb those extra seven games to boost his numbers, not to mention any play-off football.

But they suggest that if Jefferson was to have played as many NFL games as his Cowboys counterpart, then his overall stats would be superior.

One can only wonder how much better (or worse) Jefferson's numbers would be if the former LSU phenom had been playing for a stronger team.