The Atlanta Falcons have added some firepower to their offense. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Falcons have acquired wide receiver Van Jefferson from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a swap of 2025 sixth and seventh-round picks.
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
Jefferson entered the league as the Rams' 57th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and is now in the final year of his rookie contract. He has tumbled down the depth chart this season, falling behind Tutu Atwell and rookie phenom Puka Nacua. Now with Cooper Kupp back after a stint on injured reserve, Jefferson's already modest target share was set to shrink all the more.
Jefferson should have a significantly improved chance at relevance on the Falcons, who lack a single wide receiver with more than 20 catches so far this season. At his peak, Jefferson was a valuable and explosive pass catcher: he compiled 802 receiving yards with six touchdowns at 9.0 yards per target during the 2021 season. Given he's still only 27 years old, Jefferson's best years could still be ahead of him.
Moreso than either the Falcons or the Rams, the real winner in this trade is Jefferson. He entered the league as an unusually old rookie, and the 2024 offseason may be his one and only chance to land a significant contract. That wasn't going to happen as the Rams' WR4. At least on the Falcons, he'll have every opportunity to maximize his value.
Photo Credit: © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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