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The Vikings couldn't believe it when the Eagles passed on Justin Jefferson in the 2020 NFL Draft.

That year's draft was loaded with top quarterback talent including first-round picks Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert.

Jefferson is a stud and one of the best players in the NFL
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Jefferson is a stud and one of the best players in the NFLCredit: Getty

Another notable name in that year's class was Justin Jefferson - arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL today.

It was the league's first ever virtual draft due to COVID-19 and the Eagles made an unfortunate mistake by passing on the mercurial wideout.

Instead, the Eagles decided to take Jalen Reagor with their 21st pick - much to the excitement of the Vikings' front office.

Minnesota execs Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer couldn't believe Philly's oversight and reacted accordingly.

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Footage of them laughing went viral as Spielman could be heard remarking, 'Get Justin Jefferson on the clock right now.'

Jefferson was the fifth WR drafted in that year's class behind Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb and Reagor.

The Vikings probably didn't expect a gem like Jefferson to still be on the board by the time the 21st pick came around but the Eagles' blunder meant JJ landed right in their laps.

"Damn! That's cold-blooded!" one fan commented when the video of the Vikings laughing resurfaced ahead of this year's draft.

The Vikings couldn't believe the Eagles passed on Jefferson
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The Vikings couldn't believe the Eagles passed on JeffersonCredit: X@_MLFootball
They knew straight away Philly had made a mistake
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They knew straight away Philly had made a mistakeCredit: X@_MLFootball
Reagor ended up with the Vikings briefly but is now in New England
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Reagor ended up with the Vikings briefly but is now in New EnglandCredit: Getty

"That was a night where the football gods truly were on the Vikings side," another added.

To be fair to the Eagles, Reagor and Jefferson's college stats were pretty similar.

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Reagor played receiver at TCU and finished with 2,248 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns over three years.

Meanwhile, LSU standout Jefferson had 2,415 receiving yards and 24 career touchdowns - but he did it in two years.

However, since making it to the pros their careers have had completely different trajectories.

Reagor has 79 receptions for 937 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

Jefferson has 392 receptions to go along with 5,899 receiving yards and 30 receiving touchdowns.

Reagor went on to play for the Vikings and is now with the Patriots, where he has had a limited impact.

Jefferson has been named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams in all three of his first seasons and has amassed the most receiving yards through a player's first four seasons.

In 2022, at the age of 23, he won the Offensive Player of the Year award and became the youngest player to lead the league in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809).

The Eagles' loss was the Vikings gain and even Jefferson feels a tinge of sadness for the man selected ahead of him.

"I hate it for him, being compared to me all the time,” said Jefferson.

Jefferson will have a new QB to play alongside next season after the Vikings drafted Michigan's J.J. McCarthy.

Minnesota selected McCarthy with 10th pick after traded the 11th, 129th and 157th overall picks to the Jets in exchange for No. 10 and No. 203.

The 21-year-old just won a national championship with Michigan and finished his college career with 6,226 yards, 49 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions in three years.

One draft expert says he has all the right ingredients to turn his 'cupcake' into a 'wedding cake' - but that will largely depend on how well he connects with Jefferson.

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