Florida football: Van Jefferson a surprise pick for LA Rams
This Florida football wide receiver was shocked, along with the rest of us, when he was picked in the second round of the NFL Draft.
For Florida football wide receiver Van Jefferson, there wasn’t any expectation of when he would be selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.
So, when the Los Angeles Rams picked him as the 57th overall pick, it came as quite a surprise.
“The last interaction I had with them was at the Combine actually. We had an informal meeting and I was meeting with the receiver coach and I kind of got a good feeling from him,” Jefferson told Sports Illustrated. “I didn’t think that they would be a team that was interested in me, but it’s something that you just don’t know. You just don’t know what’s going to happen, it’s so unknown.”
Jefferson was the second pick for the Rams in the second round, just five behind Florida State running back Cam Akers.
Where Jefferson Fits With the Rams
This is where things get a little interesting.
Jefferson is on the small side for an NFL wide receiver, standing just 6-foot-1 and weighing 200 pounds.
However, he has a great ability to separate from cornerbacks and linebackers and can run a route about as well as anyone.
He also doesn’t have a knack for dropping balls.
One good potential for Jefferson is at slot receiver position. He is very similar to current Rams’ receiver Cooper Kupp and could serve as a solid back-up to Kupp in an effort to work him into the system.
A bigger question for Jefferson will be his speed. He did not compete in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine earlier this season because of a foot injury.
Doctors informed Florida WR Van Jefferson that he has a Jones fracture in his right foot that was found during his combine physical, per sources. Jefferson will undergo surgery next week in Green Bay with Dr. Robert Anderson. Jefferson is projected to be sidelined 6-8 weeks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 27, 2020
Florida Gators. Van Jefferson. 57. player. . Wide Receiver. 840. Pick Analysis
However, he did have 12.4 yards per catch with Florida football, meaning his speed is there.
Jefferson will have to work on his production with the Rams. He had just 540 yards receiving in four years with Florida football. However, a big part of that could be because of all the receiving talent around him.
Remember, Florida football receivers did very well in this draft.
But again, Jefferson has an ability to run precision routes better than just about any other college football wide receiver, which should work well for Los Angeles.
Another option would be to move Kupp to the outside as a receiver and put Jefferson in as a slot, which would give the Rams a lot of options in the passing attack.
dark. Next. Houston gets big hands, edge rushing from Jon Greenard
It will be interesting to see how the Rams adjust their offense to fit Jefferson into the mix.