Rams draft Van Jefferson at 57

Jim Nagy@JimNagy_SB
Florida WR @VanJefferson12 couldn’t run the 40 at Combine (foot injury) but @ZebraTechnology had him as fastest player at the @seniorbowl with max speed of 21.05 mph, which is faster than Devin Duvernay (20.90/4.39), Denzel Mims (20.26/4.38), and Antonio Gibson (20.15/4.39). 🔥🔥

.@RamsNFL @GatorsFB @VanJefferson12 is a precise and talented route runner and joins other great runners like @CooperKupp and @robertwoods Offense could get back to elite status again. #Rams #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/eXRpaZc3v4

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 25, 2020

Deadpool

57. Van Jefferson:

From my big board:

40. Van Jefferson – WR – Florida – 6′-1″ 200 lbs. – A route running technician, good hands and is OK in the open field. Not explosive and not what I would call a HR threat.

#7 overall WR, Tier 2 or my WRs, 7th best player available on my Rams Stacked board when picked

Pros:
NFL size at 6′-2″ 200 lbs
soft, natural hands, basically catcher mitts
one of the top 3 route runners in the draft
understands the nuances of being WR
Smooth mover in the open field
will fight for the ball
crafty feet

Cons:
Not explosive
Top end won’t scare defenses

An outside/inside WR with everything you want in a starting WR except for top end, but I loved Kupp and I love this kid.

Dzrams:You mentioned Snead’s emphasis on the Senior Bowl. Who are the Senior Bowl players this year that you suspect the Rams will be very interested in?

WRs Van Jefferson and Denzel Mims had monster practice weeks, and Jefferson is a smart, savvy route runner that can get open, so you know Snead will like him. Mims is unlike anything the Rams have so I bet he would also be on their radar

From my I love Van Jefferson post April 6th: http://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,783582,783613#msg-783613

The first 3 things I look at when I am scouting WRs is this:
Route Running – because if you cannot run crisp routes, you will not create separation in the NFL and you will not get open.
Hands – If you cannot catch the ball or if you are constantly fighting the ball, I just cannot count on you in big spots. It limits your upside.
speed – Unless you are a detailed route runner, or have great size/length, you need to have some speed or at least be explosive.

So he checks 2 of the 3 big boxes off. I’m not worried about lack of production because Florida QBs have been horrible. But I think he is a 2nd round guy with what I would consider a high floor, low ceiling. Due to his lack of open field ability with a lack of HR speed, he’ll never be a WR1, but he will make a heck of a WR2 or WR3 inside from the slot or from the outside. I think he is a less strong Juju Smith-Schuster. LARAM did not like JJSS as much as I did coming out because he just wasn’t fast or super athletic. I loved him because he had good hands and got open. I think Jefferson is in that same boat, minus JJSS’s strength.

From my top WR in every round post: http://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,784537,784603#msg-784603

Round 3: Van Jefferson – WR – Florida – 6′-1″ 200 lbs. – A route running technician, good hands and is OK in the open field. Not explosive and not what I would call a HR threat.

He’s #40 on my big board, but I do realize that he probably lasts until maybe from late 2 to mid 3. He is not as explosive as some of the top guys, or as big, but he has outstanding hands, a precise route runner and that makes him about as pro ready as any WR in the class.As a 3rd option behind Kupp and Woods would be perfect for him IMO.

DOWNTOWN RAMS [DTR]@DowntownRams
Van literally has it all guys. I’m elated. Just watching the film now. More games and he checks every box. He’s actually low key the 50/50 ball guy I talked about, he is a field stretcher (very fast) and he’s a route running technician on top of being a willing blocker.

alyoshamucci

I don’t have a 40 on Jefferson.

Dude was playing with an injury at the senior bowl and got surgery after the med check at the combine.

The assumption is that because he’s such a good route runner that he lacks speed. Maybe that’s part of his route running ability … changing speeds.

At the senior bowl I watched him torch defenders with route running … I watched Duvernay and Mims and Gibson too … Van Jefferson didn’t look super fast … but no one could cover him. The others didn’t look super fast either.

If you had told me Mims would run a 4.39 I would have said you were nuts.

So if Jefferson participates at the combine and runs low 4.4s … where is he drafted? Gotta think he doesn’t get out of the first frame.

I’m sure most of you have seen the route running ability of Van Jefferson, but here is a play that displays his play making ability and game speed. A quit hitter screen play that Van takes for 50 yards! Excited for this kid or get integrated into the system pic.twitter.com/IFGPgyRaEY

— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) May 2, 2020

SunTzu_vs_Camus

VJ’s route running is some of the best I’ve seen…in this draft and maybe many drafts.

VJ doesn’t give any route away and keeps it hidden until the foot is planted and he takes off in a different direction in a flash.

It’s really amazing…WRs that run routes like that can UNcover in a second and give the QB a nice target. I can’t tell you how valuable that is to a QB’s peace of mind…McVay was a QB and knows what it means for QBs to have those kind of natural route runners with good hands. It’s invaluable. VJ may even be better than Kupp…VJ is faster in his breaks than Kupp. imo

we’ll see how VJ does this year. Even if he sits behind Reynolds…VJ is insurance for Kupp & Reynolds in 2021 if they can’t get a deal done.

EWU receiver Cooper Kupp has been the fastest player for the North Team (20.7 mph max velocity) via @CatapultSports and @RosterWatch

— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 26, 2017

Kupp was the fastest player at the Senior Bowl in 2017.
.
I think Woods beat 21 mph.

http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000000877504/next-gen-stats:-week-10

Associated Press
Way fast Woods

The top max speed for a ball carrier this week went to Rams wide receiver Robert Woods, who reached a top speed of 20.54 miles per hour against the Texans.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by Agamemnon.

How Van Jefferson passed the first test for the Rams

J.B. Long

https://www.therams.com/news/how-van-jefferson-passed-first-test-for-rams

When the Rams traded Brandin Cooks to Houston in early-April, they weren’t necessarily seeking his replacement through the 2020 NFL Draft. They did, however, see a striking resemblance to two other targets in head coach Sean McVay’s 11-personnel package.

“As you consider Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, and if they were standing side-by-side, and they were looking into a mirror,” explained James Gladstone, the Rams director of scouting strategy. “Their reflection would be that of Van Jefferson.”

Among the commonalities was vicious route running that could leave even the best defensive backs “grasping for cloth.”

“Though Van Jefferson was not the first wide receiver that we discussed for this group of draft prospects, it quickly became apparent that he would be the first wide receiver that we would consider drafting,” Gladstone said.

From one of the most heralded pass-catching classes in NFL Draft history, it was a bold move to select one who didn’t run a 40-yard dash at 57th overall.

And the Rams may not have, without the Cooper Kupp Test.

“Kupp didn’t run an admirable 40-yard dash,” said general manager Les Snead of the 4.62 on display in Indianapolis.

“2017, (Kupp) stacked as the fastest max speed at the Senior Bowl regardless of position,” Snead continued, referencing the Zebra Technologies available at the influential pre-Draft event. “Van Jefferson went ahead and did the exact same thing. So that was something that was a great tell for us.”

Florida WR @VanJefferson12 couldn’t run the 40 at Combine (foot injury) but @ZebraTechnology had him as fastest player at the @seniorbowl with max speed of 21.05 mph, which is faster than Devin Duvernay (20.90/4.39), Denzel Mims (20.26/4.38), and Antonio Gibson (20.15/4.39). 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/t7Y8nRmonn

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) April 4, 2020

The executive director of the Senior Bowl, Jim Nagy, compared Jefferson to another undervalued receiver from the 2019 class, Terry McLaurin. The former Ohio State Buckeye went to Washington at 76th overall and proceeded to earn All-Rookie honors with 58 receptions, 919 receiving yards and seven touchdowns despite inconsistent quarterback play.

It’s worth noting that while Jefferson passed the Cooper Kupp Test by way of top-end speed, there’s no statistical comparison between the SEC product and the FCS receiving king.

However, in 2016 at Ole Miss, before he transferred to Florida, Jefferson was in a skill group with a staggering number of professional prospects. Among them were his freshmen classmates A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf. Each hauled in at least 900 yards and seven touchdowns as NFL rookies with the Titans and Seahawks, respectively.

As for the foot injury that prevented Jefferson from participating at the Underwear Olympics (as Snead often refers to the Combine)? The 12th receiver taken in this year’s Draft said then he was already well on the road to recovery from surgery. Sean McVay recently wrapped up the virtual off-season expecting every member of the roster to be available for training camp.

Van Jefferson was the fastest human at the Senior Bowl
The LA Rams drafted one of the fastest receivers in his class

https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2020/5/1/21244121/van-jefferson-rams-40-yard-dash-senior-bowl-time

LA Rams rookie receiver Van Jefferson didn’t participate in drills at the NFL Scouting Combine in February because of a broken bone in his foot, but if he had, perhaps Jefferson wouldn’t have been available to the Rams at pick 57. Could he have improved his draft stock a tick by a) not having a broken foot and b) running a 4.4?

As was reported several times through draft season, Jefferson was touted as the fastest guy at the Senior Bowl this year. Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy compared his speed to that of 2019 rookie sleeper Terry McLaurin:

“A guy that I think is the Terry McLaurin of this class is Van Jefferson from Florida.” Nagy said in a recent interview with Grant Paulson and Pete Medhurst on 106.7 The Fan in D.C. “Terry went 76th overall last year. If you had a redraft of last year’s draft, he would have been a first-round pick. Outside of some of the quarterback play on the team, he could have won rookie of the year. The guy had almost 1,000 yards with some spotty quarterback play.

“Van is similar … Last year, Terry was our fastest guy in the game. This year it was Van Jefferson. Van’s dad coaches in the league, Sean Jefferson former NFL player, really good wide receivers coach. You watch (Van) on tape and he’s an awesome route runner. He always gets open. I just thought he was a really crafty player and I didn’t give him enough credit for having as much juice as he has. I saw him play live twice, but I didn’t feel that speed from the press box like I felt on the field in Mobile (at the Senior Bowl).”

This was backed up by Jefferson’s speed on the field, which was clocked by Zebra Technologies as the fastest of any player at the Senior Bowl: 21.05 MPH. Zebra Technologies clocked 2019 rookie sensation Deebo Samuel at 20.97 MPH the year before. They had McLaurin at 22.15 MPH.

Samuel ran a 4.48 at the combine at 215 pounds. Jefferson is 6’1, 200 pounds. Could he have run in the low-4.4s? McLaurin, at 209 pounds, ran a 4.35.

Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool ran a 4.42 at 238 pounds and went 49th to the Pittsburgh Steelers. LSU’s Justin Jefferson ran a 4.43 at 202 pounds. Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy ran a 4.45 at 193 pounds. TCU’s Jalen Reagor ran a 4.47 at 206 pounds.

Alabama’s Henry Ruggs was clocked with a game speed of 21.94 MPH. Reagor was next at 20.80 MPH. Baylor’s Denzel Mims was next at 20.69 MPH. So potentially Jefferson would have slotted in between Ruggs and Reagor. Who knows what he may have clocked at the combine if he was 100%.

Ruggs was the fastest player at the combine this year at 4.27, and a few years ago that title belonged to Brandin Cooks at 4.33. The Rams traded away Cooks this offseason and used the pick acquired on Jefferson. The idea that he can replace Cooks is rightfully dismissed as a bit of a lazy connection and that the two players are different, as well as the fact that Jefferson has yet to play even an NFL practice, but we can’t dismiss that the new guy has speed as an attribute.

And that he has quite a lot of it.