Van Jefferson News

Jefferson led the low-octane Rams passing game in receiving yards in the season finale. The expected return of Matthew Stafford (neck) should provide Jefferson with better quarterback play in 2023, but Jefferson will likely slide down the depth chart once Cooper Kupp (ankle) is healthy. A knee injury limited Jefferson to 11 games in 2022, and the third-year wideout caught 24 of 44 targets for 369 yards and three touchdowns.

Jefferson co-led the Rams in receptions and paced the team in receiving yards during a lackluster day for the air attack overall. The third-year pro's game-long 39-yard grab was the highlight of his performance, but he recorded his other two catches -- of 16 and 22 yards -- on Los Angeles' only touchdown drive. Jefferson will aim to build on eight-game multi-reception streak in the Week 18 finale on the road versus the Seahawks.

Jefferson failed to post notable numbers in a game where the Rams scored five offensive touchdowns. Perhaps the 26-year-old is best suited in a complementary role instead of being asked to be a team's top option. Jefferson will attempt to build some chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield when the Rams take on the Chargers on Sunday.

Jefferson led the Rams wideouts in receptions and receiving yards, but on a night when Los Angeles finished with 84 net passing yards, his modest totals were only less productive than those of running back Cam Akers. Jefferson had caught the game-winning touchdown from Baker Mayfield in the latter's Week 14 team debut against the Raiders, making the low-volume night Monday especially disappointing. Jefferson and the rest of the Rams' air attack has another stiff challenge on its hands in a Week 16 home matchup against the talented Broncos secondary on Christmas Day.

Jefferson caught Baker Mayfield's first and last passes of the quarterback's Rams debut, hauling in a 21-yard catch on the first play of the team's second possession and a 23-yard game-tying reception with 10 seconds left that set up Matt Gay's game-winning PAT. The third-year speedster hasn't yet been able to truly capitalize on the absences of Cooper Kupp (IR-ankle) and Allen Robinson (IR-foot) and played a clear second fiddle to both Ben Skowronek and Tutu Atwell, but perhaps the scoring connection will kickstart his chemistry with Mayfield and lead to a productive stretch run.

Nominally the Rams' No. 1 wideout in the absence of Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Allen Robinson (foot), Jefferson once again wasn't able to produce much volume. In the last four games, including the one in which Kupp was injured, Jefferson hasn't topped three receptions or 41 yards but he has scored two touchdowns. Despite his spot on the depth chart, he'll be a risky fantasy play in Week 14, even against the Raiders.