Why LA Rams Van Jefferson could show up big against Washington

Why LA Rams Van Jefferson could show up big against Washington

Let’s toss a few unrelated items out there about the LA Rams and rookie wide receiver Van Jefferson. Van Jefferson is a 6-foot-1 200-pound receiver who heard his name called by the LA Rams with the 57th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.  He was a receiving prospect who discovered an undetected foot injury at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.

To many, the last thing that the LA Rams needed, particularly at such an early draft position was wide receiver.  And the fact that Jefferson had medical concerns over his foot did not help. Even with the Ram staring at the risks of losing both Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds to free agency at the end of this season, the value simply was not there.  Now? The Rams have extended both Kupp and Robert Woods.

2019 Senior Bowl

Now to the 2019 Senior Bowl, where the spotlight could not turn away from Ohio State’s Terry McLaurin.  McLaurin truly helped his draft stock in that performance,  But even with a solid Senior Bowl, he was selected by the Washington Football team in round three with the 76th pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Kevin O’Connell was Washington’s offensive coordinator, and he found ways to get the ball often to his star rookie receiver.  By season’s end, McLaurin had caught 58 of 93 passes for 919 yards and seven touchdowns. While that is impressive for any rookie receiver, it was impossible not to think that McLaurin would have performed far better if he had a better quarterback situation throwing the ball out to him. Now fast forward to the 2020 Senior Bowl.