Why LA Rams Van Jefferson could show up big against Washington

Same offensive coordinator

The LA Rams had hired Kevin O’Connell to fill an offensive coordinator role that had been vacant for over a year, ever since Matt LeFleur left the position with the LA Rams to assume the head coaching job for the Green Bay Packers.  Now O’Connell was with the LA Rams, and another standout receiver from the Senior Bowl was there, begging to be selected.

Whether or not it was O’Connell’s input to draft Jefferson, the results were the same. For the second time in two years, offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell has a shiny rookie to show off. What better place or time to do so that on the football field of his former football team?

Stalled, or playing possum?

While the hopes for Van Jefferson were certainly rather optimistic, the progress and development of the rookie receiver have nearly come to a screeching halt. He was targeted with 3, 5,1, and finally, 1 passes over the course of his first four games. His receiving yards have been 31, 45, zero, and zero yards.  By all accounts, he has fallen out of favor with head coach Sean McVay and the LA Rams offense.

Or has he?  Is this simply a masterful ruse, a theatrical performance worthy of an Oscar nomination just to showcase Van Jefferson in the Rams offense against McLaurin’s team? It would be the ultimate gotcha moment of the season if that happens. After all, Washington plays a great pass defense.  Van Jefferson hasn’t caught either of the past two balls thrown his way.  And Van Jefferson has fallen to just a mere five percent of the offensive snaps against the New York Giants.

If the Rams are truly about playing a long game, then this is the perfect opportunity to stage an NFL-graduation-party of sorts for wide receiver Van Jefferson. Putting him back onto the Rams radar in time to add another weapon for the San Francisco 49ers to plan for is never a bad thing.