Well that escalated quickly. It was reported this morning that Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson was being shopped by the Rams.
#Rams are looking into trading wide receiver Van Jefferson, per source. L.A. has been in contact with Jefferson’s agent, with the player open to a new home.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 10, 2023
Jefferson was a big part of the Rams’ 2021 Super Bowl run but hasn’t been featured this year and played 2 snaps Sunday. pic.twitter.com/RC6fQHQLzl
Not even two hours later, Van Jefferson has found a new home with the Atlanta Falcons.
Related: Van Jefferson Trade Grades
Sources: The #Falcons have agreed to trade for #Rams WR Van Jefferson. It’s a 2025 pick swap — 6th and 7th rounders. They hope to recapture his play from 2021. A low-risk, high-reward deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 10, 2023
Van Jefferson Trade Analysis
As usual with these kinds of trades, the compensation is a late-round pick swap, this one not until 2025. The Rams send the Falcons their 7th-round pick, in exchange for Atlanta’s 6th-rounder in 2025.
Heading into the 2023 season, the expectation was that Jefferson would take a big step forward as the true number 2 receiver in this offense. Then, Cooper Kupp gets injured in training camp and Jefferson slides into the WR1 spot. This was his time to shine. At least that was the thought.
What no one expected was the meteoric rise of 5th-round pick Puka Nacua. During Kupp’s absence, Nacua entrenched himself as WR1 with 3rd-year receiver Tutu Atwell solidifying himself as WR2. Van Jefferson’s role dwindled more and more each week, with him only garnering two snaps in a Week 5 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
With the receiving room taking true shape with Kupp, Nacua, and Atwell as the future triplets, the writing was on the proverbial wall as Van Jefferson looked like the odd-man out.
Now he finds a new home in Atlanta, and the Rams are able to continue the development of Nacua and Atwell.
Jefferson finished his 2023 Rams campaign with 8 receptions for 108 yards.
What do you think? Do you agree with the trade? Vote below!