The Atlanta Falcons bolstered their wide receiver room on Tuesday by acquiring Los Angeles Rams 2020 second-round pick Van Jefferson via a trade.
The former Florida wideout had a breakout season in 2021 where he caught 50 passes for 802 yards and six touchdowns as the Rams won Super Bowl 56 that following February.
However, Jefferson’s role diminished this season as 2023 fifth-round pick Puca Nacua emerged as Los Angeles’ primary receiving option while elite wideout Cooper Kupp was on injured reserve.
However, Kupp is now back with the Rams, and Jefferson has been sent to the Falcons for the remainder of his rookie contract.
Let’s break down this deal and how it impacts both parties.
In 2021 with the #Rams, Van Jefferson had 50 catches for 802 yards with six TDs. If Atlanta can get anywhere close to that production, it’s a huge win. https://t.co/QBKoVYeQMf
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 10, 2023
The details
Per the Rams, here are the details of the transaction:
Rams get: a 2025 sixth-round pick
Falcons get: WR Van Jefferson, a 2025 seventh-round pick
We have agreed to a trade with the Falcons. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/JuTFl0s3um
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 10, 2023
Los Angeles Rams
This is the second time this fall that the Rams have traded an offensive player from their 2020 draft class after running back Cam Akers got moved to the Minnesota Vikings in September.
With Kupp and Nacua firmly entrenched as the team’s top-two receivers and 2021 draft pick Tutu Atwell playing a bigger role in the Rams offense, Jefferson found himself as the odd man out.
The Rams won a Super Bowl in 2022, so trading two 2020 second-round picks for meager compensation doesn’t sting nearly as much. It’s not likely Jefferson would’ve re-signed in Los Angeles after this season, too.
Trading him to Atlanta does right by the player, as he’ll play in a system where he could potentially flourish and to a coach in Arthur Smith who has likely familiarity with him going back to his days of playing at Ravenwood High School in Tennessee while Smith was with the Tennessee Titans.
While you wonder if the Rams could have waited a couple of weeks and traded Jefferson to a wideout-needy team closer to the NFL Trade Deadline for higher compensation, they sent Jefferson to a good spot and got a higher 2025 pick for it. It’s not a bad move on Los Angeles’ side.
Trade Grade: B
Atlanta Falcons
It’s a great move for the Falcons, who add a much-needed vertical threat to the offense in Jefferson.
Smith coached alongside Jefferson’s dad, longtime wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, when the latter was with the Titans from 2013-15.
That, combined with Smith likely hearing about Van Jefferson’s high school days down the road from Nissan Stadium at Ravenwood, could add some familiarity between the coach and player.
The Falcons were thin at wide receiver with only four on the roster before this trade, so it’s a nice flier to add depth to the room while getting a player who could potentially boost a passing game that started to come alive on Sunday against the Houston Texans.
Jefferson’s contract expires at the end of the season, so even if this doesn’t work out, the Falcons are only out a lower late-round pick in 2025.
It’s a very smart roll of the dice for Atlanta, and it could pay off in a big way if Jefferson gets back into his 2021 form.
Trade Grade: A
