The Rams traded Van Jefferson to the Falcons shortly after it was reported on Tuesday that Los Angeles was exploring trade options for the receiver, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
In return, the Rams will receive a sixth-round and seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Jefferson will join Atlanta’s top receiver, Drake London, in the receiving corps. London has 204 yards on 17 catches with two touchdowns on the season.
Through five games this season, Jefferson has tallied 108 yards with just eight catches. During Sunday’s loss to the Eagles, the 2020 second-round pick played in just two snaps after Cooper Kupp made his season debut following a hamstring injury.
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. pic.twitter.com/r5eowZIWjC
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 10, 2023
On top of Kupp making his return, Rams rookie Puka Nacua shined in the star receiver’s absence. He currently ranks second in the NFL with 572 receiving yards. With the duo of Nacua and Kupp, Jefferson wasn’t as valuable on the roster as before.
With the trade, Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder will have another notable target on the field. The second-year quarterback has completed 65.4% of his passes for 1,073 yards and four touchdowns.
Jefferson helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI during his tenure in L.A., catching four passes for 23 yards in the win over the Bengals.
