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L.A. Rams All-Under-25 team: Van Jefferson
University of Florida product should get more touches in 2021

ERIC D. WILLIAMS

https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/news/la-rams-25-and-under-van-jefferson%5B

Player: WR Van Jefferson
Age: 24

The skinny: Selected in the second round of the 2020 draft by the Rams out of Florida, Jefferson generated some buzz with his play during training camp and in scrimmages at SoFi Stadium. However, Jefferson never really got an opportunity to shine during the regular season. Jefferson played all 16 games, finishing with 19 receptions for 220 receiving yards and a score and averaging 11.6 yards per reception on 31 targets. He saw action in 250 plays on offense and another 118 on special teams. Jefferson also totaled six catches for 46 yards and a score in the NFC Divisional round playoff loss against the Green Bay Packers.

Reason for optimism: Jefferson had a handful of entertaining, one-on-one battles with Jalen Ramsey during training camp, winning more than his share. Ramsey, one of the best corners in the league, had this to say about Jefferson’s potential: “He’s not just going to be good, I think he’s going to be a great player in the NFL.” That’s high praise coming from one of the best in the business. Jefferson, the son of current Arizona Cardinals receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, should get more of a chance to show what he can do with Josh Reynolds leaving to join the Tennessee Titans in free agency. At 6-1 and 200 pounds, Jefferson is a polished route runner who reads defenses well, but also has the speed to develop into a vertical threat. Although he didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine due to a foot injury, Zebra technology had Jefferson as the fastest player at the Senior Bowl last year with a max speed of 21.05 mph. Receivers typically make a significant leap in development from their rookie year to the second NFL season, so Jefferson should be even more comfortable in Sean McVay’s offense for the upcoming season.

Reason for concern: Potential needs to turn into production at some point, and the Rams are certainly betting on that to happen with Jefferson entering his second season. Jefferson did have two drops according to Pro Football Focus, so that’s something to watch for next season. Also, you would like to see more than 11.6 yards per reception from someone like Jefferson, who could serve as a deep threat. That number should improve with a good deep ball thrower like Matthew Stafford taking over at quarterback for the Rams.

nittany ram wrote:

So apparently zn’s hatred of Van Jefferson is beginning to rival his legendary hatred of Isaac Bruce.

Yep. Always figured him for a Seahawks fan. After all, ya can’t spell Zorn without zn.

Herzog wrote:

Zooey wrote:

zn wrote:

I worry about Jefferson’s toughness. Woods and Kupp can take the physical part of the game–I’ve seen signs that Jefferson has some “Isaac Bruce” to him, meaning the part of Bruce that would not take hits or get the best out of physical contact situations.

I always suspected that you hate Isaac Bruce. The only mystery is why it took you so long to express it.

It’s amazing how many Seahawks fans are on this board when it’s such a small board.

smileys

Yeah Zooey somehow assumed what I said was a put-down of Bruce. Even in jest that misses the point.

It was possible to overlook Bruce’s lack of physicality because he excelled in so many areas and put up yards. Back when there were controversies about Bruce sliding after receptions, I defended him.

But what if Jefferson does not have the great productivity. I am not even asking him to be Bruce, cause few are at that level, but what if he’s not even reasonably productive. If Jefferson has the shy-about-contact thing (which IMO he does) AND he does not overbalance it by being highly productive, then you have a liability without much of a strength.