To say the Rams’ wide receiver room is crowded would be an understatement. Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods are established as the top two options, but Van Jefferson, DeSean Jackson and Tutu Atwell will all have roles, too.
Jefferson is an especially intriguing player for Los Angeles because he was a second-round pick a year ago but had a quiet rookie season. The arrival of Jackson complicates his role, but it sounds like the Rams are still expecting him to contribute in a big way this season.
“I’ve been very, very pleased with Van Jefferson,” Sean McVay said via the Rams’ official site. “Very excited about what he’s going to do to finish up this offseason, and I know he’s going to come back and hit the ground running in training camp. But we’re expecting very big things from Van Jefferson. He has been a major bright spot this offseason, and somebody that I’m extremely excited about. And I know I share that feeling with the rest of the coaches.”
Jefferson said recently that he’s much more comfortable now after experiencing some “head spinning” as a rookie. He admitted there were some “ups and downs” in Year 1, but with a full season under his belt, he’s learned from his mistakes and feels better entering his second campaign.
Josh Reynolds’ departure clears a path for Jefferson to play even more snaps than he did as a rookie, he’ll just have to hold off Jackson and Atwell for playing time behind Kupp and Woods. Last season, Jefferson caught 19 of 31 targets for 220 yards and one touchdown, an underwhelming campaign for the second-round pick.
Bigger and better things should be in store for him this year.