Why I like LA Rams WR Van Jefferson to break out in 2022

The LA Rams drafted a very talented and well-pedigreed wide receiver, Van Jefferson, with the 57th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft from the University of Florida. Over the course of the past two seasons, the Rams have focused primarily upon veteran wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. Meanwhile, and over that same two-year time span, the team’s third receiver spot was handled by Josh Reynolds in 2020, followed by veteran DeSean Jackson then by Odell Beckham Jr. in 2022. All the while, the young receiver Van Jefferson just went out and played.

The LA Rams wanted a third route runner in 2020. But due to a playoff injury to WR Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson stepped up and caught six of seven passes for 47 yards and a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs that year.

The LA Rams wanted a deep threat in 2021. Once more, Van Jefferson stepped up to catch 50 of 89 passes thrown his way for 802 yards and six touchdowns. While his catch percentage dipped slightly (from 61.3 percent to 56.2 percent), his yards per reception skyrocketed from 11.6 yards per reception to a very impressive 16.0 yards per reception. To further frame that performance, the increase was just his first season catching passes from veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford.

In either season, Jefferson was likely no higher in the progression reads than the third target on any given play. But in each season, his versatility and ability to adapt proved to be exactly what the offense needed. That is no easy task, particularly one imposed upon a receiver who had just completed his second NFL season.

So what will he develop into this year? That’s a question that is being asked today by a wide range of parties. Not just fans, but NFL executives and staff analysts of personnel departments. The Rams appear to be heavy at wide receiver at the moment. Could the team be persuaded to part ways with one of the best young WR prospects? Will other teams make fair market value offers to do so?  Well, as we ponder those questions, let’s see why any NFL team would consider Jefferson for their own rosters?