LA Rams: 3 positive takeaways from training camp arrivals

Working it out with the new QB on the block

Whenever a veteran quarterback like Matthew Stafford arrives, you can only hope that he is proactive enough to take the LA Rams young receiver under his wing and work out the nuances of their game plan. Second-year receiver Van Jefferson is developing a great repoire with QB Matthew Stafford.

Van Jefferson was asked most questions about his interactions with his new quarterback, and there was no doubt that the second-year receiver has a lot of respect for new quarterback Matthew Stafford. The LA Rams were certainly encouraged by Van Jefferson’s performance towards the end of last season. Now, Van Jefferson seems not as blown away by the experience. He’s had a taste of the NFL, and he projects the tone of a guy who is eager to get back in there for round two.

The LA Rams made it a point to compare Van Jefferson with both Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp as a rookie. There are many similarities, not just in size and weight, but in-game playing style. Of the three, Kupp is the slowest with a 4.62-second 40 time. Woods clocks in faster with a 4.51-second 40. But Jefferson was clocked at a 4.43-second 40-yard dash time before the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.

This young man has gotten one of the most glowing praises from head coach Sean McVay that I have ever seen. Seriously, the bar just skyrocketed for the young pass-catcher.

Now, the heat is on. Can Jefferson deliver? I think so. I believe that extra burst of speed will be put to quick use by McVay in the offense, and will be exploited by strong-armed Stafford. For the Rams, it’s not about who gets it done as much as getting it done. Van Jefferson is still very raw in terms of NFL experience, but he is learning quickly.

Keying on the Rams receivers takes some doing, but it can be done. In the past, the Rams have simply retargeted receivers until they found one who Goff could connect with, sometimes as last as the middle of the third quarter. Van Jefferson will be that guy who will be the third or fourth target in Stafford’s progressions, but Stafford makes instantaneous reads. Jefferson could become the primary weapon in many games this year for the Rams. With his speed, that could mean great things for the offense this season.