LA Rams: Time to put the spotlight back on WR Van Jefferson

From the moment that the threat of the coronavirus pandemic shut down practically all human-to-human interactions, all compass points of ‘normal’ were replaced by mile markers.  Suddenly, each of us found ourselves in unfamiliar circumstances, and the only path we had out was to place our heads down, set our jawbones, and begin the long trudging journey back to more familiar conditions. We have suffered alone, but together. Now, after a journey of more than a year, we are emerging from the chaos that had once become our norm.  In the center of the chaos, the LA Rams added a promising wide receiver, Van Jefferson, to the team.

Now, that young man finally has the chance to showcase his talents.  After all, he was targeted just 31 times in 2020. That truly limited his production in a season where the coaching staff was more intensely focusing on trying to optimize quarterback Jared Goff’s performance. Well, that problem has been solved for 2021, at least at quarterback.

The LA Rams were as derailed from their normal routine as the rest of us. In fact, the Rams installed shortcuts throughout training camp by earmarking 2019 starters into 2020 starting spots. That allowed the coaching staff to shave most of the evaluation process out of training camp, and allow the real work of preparing for the 2020 season to get underway on schedule.

Jefferson plays big in big games

Los Angeles Rams

Like many rookies, that meant that Van Jefferson, despite praises from head coach Sean McVay for his preparedness, was nearly a non-factor on offense through the first half of the season. After the first two games where he was involved in the offensive rotation, his role was reduced and he was targetted eight times in the next nine games.

He was involved in the offensive game plan against the Arizona Cardinals, where he pulled in four of eight passes from backup quarterback John Wolford for 50 yards. Jefferson led all receivers in that game and trailed RB Cam Akers by just two yards. He showed up large in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs by hauling in six of seven passes for 46 yards and a touchdown.

While neither game was enough to leapfrog him to a top receiver spot, it did demonstrate that he did not wither in the spotlight. In fact, in the biggest games of the year, he showed up in his biggest way. That’s worth taking note of and worth a closer look in the 2021 season.

While he stands 6-foot-1 and weighs in at 200-pounds, Jefferson is a sneakishly fast player on the football field, and will likely offer another option for the team’s efforts to stretch the field.  In the belief that he claims half of Reynolds 81 targets in 2020, that places Van Jefferson in the 75 targets range. 75 targets, 50 completions, 600 yards, and five touchdowns.  If he catches more passes or gets hot during the season, those numbers could go up quite quickly.

Van Jefferson is capable of putting up 1000 yards in a season. But for now, he is looking at a role that is no better than the third wide receiver on the depth chart. 600 yards and five touchdowns are good numbers if that proves to be the case. But don’t underestimate him this year. He may have shown little in 2020, but he is set to show off his full arsenal in 2021.