After signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency this offseason, he is in pole position to start the 2024 season as the No. 2 wideout behind George Pickens. Jefferson showed flashes of being able to handle that role in 2021 with 50 catches and 802 yards with the Los Angeles Rams, but he hasn't done much since then, which is concerning. The 27-year-old also didn't really stand out at all during offseason workouts, so he'll need to show more in training camp and the preseason to stick as the No. 2 as he competes mainly with Calvin Austin III and third-round rookie Roman Wilson. In 17 games (nine starts) with the Rams and Atlanta Falcons in 2023, Jefferson had just 20 receptions on 43 targets for 209 yards and no touchdowns. Even if he does win the WR2 job to open the year, Jefferson can probably be left to the waiver wire in 12-team fantasy leagues.
The Pittsburgh Steelers needed wide receiver Van Jefferson to stand out during offseason workouts, but he didn't. Spring practices typically don't mean a ton, but nothing has jumped out to suggest that Jefferson can be a difference-maker in 2024 with both Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson II now out of town. Outside of George Pickens, there is a lot of opportunity in the Steelers' receivers room, but it looks like Jefferson hasn't really seized a role. As we head to training camp at the end of July, Jefferson will be competing with Calvin Austin II, rookie Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller and Quez Watkins for a role in the passing game in his first year in Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old had 20 receptions for only 209 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games (nine starts) with the Falcons and Rams in 2023 and will be a long shot for fantasy relevance outside of very deep leagues as receiver depth.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson signed a one-year, $1.29 million contract to join the organization this offseason, and Mark Kaboly of the Athletic said he looks like the team's No. 2 wide receiver after OTAs. After moving on from Diontae Johnson, third-year wideout George Pickens is the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver, but the depth chart behind him is weak on paper. Rookie Roman Wilson and veterans Calvin Austin III, Quez Watkins, and Scotty Miller are also likely to compete for targets behind Pickens, but Jefferson could have more fantasy football value than expected. The former second-round pick out of Florida has tallied 113 receptions for 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns in 61 games with the Rams and Atlanta Falcons. The Pittsburgh offense is tough to navigate for fantasy football in 2024, especially since many expect Russell Wilson to eventually be benched for Justin Fields. Ultimately, fantasy managers in shallow setups should likely opt to focus on acquiring Pickens or tight end Pat Freiermuth and the Steelers' running back tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the offense will likely remain a run-heavy attack.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing free-agent wide receiver Van Jefferson to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday. After the trade of receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers this week, the move to sign Jefferson will give new quarterback Russell Wilson a new weapon alongside George Pickens and Calvin Austin III. The 27-year-old former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 spent time with new Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith with the Atlanta Falcons last year, catching 12 of 28 targets for 101 yards in 12 games (five starts) with the team. The move to Pittsburgh should be a boost for Jefferson's weak fantasy value, but the Steelers could also add to the position in the upcoming NFL draft. In four years in the NFL, Jefferson has 113 receptions for 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns in 61 games (35 starts).
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Van Jefferson is active and will make his debut for the team in Week 7 against the Washington Commanders. Atlanta acquired Jefferson from the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday to give their receiving corps some more help. The 27-year-old probably will have his snaps limited in his first game with the Falcons, and it's not like Jefferson had been much of a fantasy option to begin with in LA, even with Cooper Kupp (hamstring) missing the first four games of the season. In five games with the Rams, Jefferson had just eight catches on 15 targets for 108 yards. Drake London will continue to be the Falcons' No. 1 receiver, even when Jefferson becomes even more comfortable with the playbook.
The Los Angeles Rams are trading wide receiver Van Jefferson and a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick. With the emergence of Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell and the return of Cooper Kupp, Jefferson quickly became the odd man out in L.A. Jefferson could now start in three-wide sets for the Falcons, but he'll likely have very little fantasy value as the third or fourth option in the low-volume passing attack led by Desmond Ridder. Jefferson has posted just 1,499 yards through his first 49 NFL games.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson put together his best game of the season in Week 3, as he hauled in a 46-yard deep ball from Matthew Stafford. This was Jefferson's only catch of the game and one of just three targets, despite playing 93% of all offensive snaps. The 27-year-old receiver has been out-targeted by four different Rams through the first three games, making it clear that he's not someone Stafford is looking for often. Jefferson should be approached as a low-end WR4 at best, and a DFS dart throw in the team's Week 4 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson has been the disappointing fantasy option from the team's receiving trio. Despite leading all Rams' receivers in snaps through the first two games, Jefferson has caught just five of his nine targets on the season for 33 yards. It is clear that Matthew Stafford favors Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell over the 27-year-old receiver. Jefferson should only be started if necessary in deep leagues. He offers a very low floor and a relatively low ceiling and should be avoided in most formats in the team's Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson was the odd man out once again during the team's 30-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The fourth-year receiver hauled in one of his four targets for just nine yards. It was assumed that Jefferson would be the Rams' primary receiving target with Cooper Kupp (hamstring) on injured reserve. However, this has yet to be the case. Jefferson has not been a big part of the offense the last two weeks and will try to bounce back against the Bengals in Week 3.
Van Jefferson Steps Into The Team’s WR1 Role In Regular Season Opener
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson will be the team's primary outside target with Cooper Kupp out. Jefferson is entering his fourth season in the league and is looking to earn himself a second contract. The 27-year-old receiver has flashed his significant playmaking ability but has yet to show if he can consistently be a reliable fantasy option. Facing Seattle, this will likely be a game where the Rams are playing from behind and forced to throw the ball. Jefferson is a high-risk/high-reward WR3/flex option this week, but he is still someone to look at for DFS lineups.
