It takes a special wide receiver turning in an amazing season to win Sporting News' Offensive Player of the Year. Justin Jefferson did just that for the Vikings in 2022.Based on voting from fellow NFL players, Jefferson beat out NFL MVP-caliber quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts for the prestigious honor. Jefferson becomes the third wide receiver to win Sporting News' Player of the Year in any capacity, joining Jerry Rice (a two-time winner) and Antonio Brown (for the Steelers in 2017).So why Jefferson now, when past Hall of Fame legends such as Randy Mo s and Calvin Johnson didn't win during their careers and the Rams' Cooper Kupp after a more dominant season last year?Simple: Jefferson was able to stand out from a crowed at not only his position, but given several QBs and RBs had similar cases to Dustin Tokarski Kids Jersey others at his position, he was rewarded most for his clear statistical brilliance.MORE: Jefferson led the NFL in both receptions (128 on Petr Mrazek Women Jersey 184 targets) and receiving yards (1,809 and 106.4 average per game). He finished with 9 total TDs and for a second consecutive year, led the league in yards per touch (13.9). It helped him ascend to first-team AP All-Pro after being worthy in his first two NFL seasons.There's no doubt a combination of Jefferson's sometimes jaw-dropping play and fun-loving persona (in form of the "Griddy") also played a part in him being so popular as one of the league's most dynamic young players at any position.Now let's look at his season vs. the best ones from receivers past. Here's how Jefferson's season stacks up with the top receiving yardage seasons of all time:Calvin Johnson, Lions, 2012: 1,964 yardsCooper Kupp, Rams, 2021: 1,947 yardsJulio Jones, Falcons, 2015: 1,871 yardsJerry Rice, 49ers, 1995: 1,848 yardsAntonio Brown, Steelers, 2015: 1,834 yardsAnd here's where Jefferson's season ranked in terms of receptions volumeMichael Thomas, Saints, 2019: 149 receptionsCooper Kupp, Rams, 2021: 145 receptionsMarvin Harrison, Colts, 2022: 143 receptionsAntonio Brown, Steelers, 2015: 136 receptionsJulio Jones, Falcons, 2015: 136 receptionsAntonio Brown, Steelers, 2014: 129 receptionsJohnson, Kupp and Jones, plus Brown for at least a second time, all had cases for Offensive Player of the Year in their biggest years. It's time to explain then, why Jefferson won while others didn't.In 2012, Johnson was overshadowed by Adrian Peterson rushing for 2,097 hards for the Vikings. Last season, Kupp lost because Jonathan Taylor ama sed 2,171 scrimmage yards and 20 TDs for the Colts.In 2015, Jones and Brown were out of luck Dave Schultz Jersey because that was Panthers quarterback Cam Newton's ma sive pa sing and rushing MVP season leading that team to Super Bowl 50. In '14, Brown didn't win because Aaron Rodgers was spectacular pa sing for the Packers.Let's then look back at 1987 when Rice won Sporting News Player of the Year. He had 1,078 yards and 23 total TDs in only 12 games. No one could compete with that, but Broncos Robert Hagg Kids Jersey QB John Elway beat him out for MVP with a le ser season.MORE:In 1990, Rice exploded for 100 receptions, 1,502 yards and 13 TDs, all leading the league. He was robbed of MVP by his QB, Joe Montana, despite Rice accounting for 38 percent of Montana's pa sing yards and half of his 26 pa sing TDs.When Brown was the first wide receiver to win Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year in 2017, he had le s competition than he did in '14 and '15. While Tom Brady won MVP for a solid but not spectacular season, Brown posted a league-best 1,533 receiving yards on 101 receptions for the Steelers.Jefferson won't win MVP, because that award simply doesn't go to wide receivers, as evidenced with Rice twice. Mahomes vs. Hurts. vs. Joe Burrow dominated that conversation in 2022. At running back, Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, Nick Chubb, Josh Radko Gudas Kids Jersey Jacobs and Saquon Barkley all had limited cases.All Jefferson had to do then to win Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year was finish well ahead of Tyreek Hill at wide receiver, in the latter's first season with the Dolphins. Hill cooled off late to 119 receptions, 1,710 yards and 7 TDs, which were all bested by Jefferson.Jefferson was able to do what Rice and Brown did before him to convince voters he was SN OPOY put up the biggest numbers in a season of muddled stats among the elite offensive peers.