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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson was the 57th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Jefferson started his college career at Ole Miss before transferring to Florida in 2018. He ended his college career with 175 receptions for 2,159 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns.
The former Gator had a quiet rookie year, totaling 19 receptions on 31 targets for 220 receiving yards and a touchdown. The rookie was the Rams' No. 4 wide receiver behind Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Josh Reynolds.
However, Jefferson had a breakout sophomore season. He had 50 receptions on 89 targets for 802 receiving yards and six touchdowns, all career highs.
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What Did Van Jefferson Accomplish In 2022?
Fantasy players had high hopes for the former Gator last year. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out for Jefferson. The third-year receiver struggled to stay healthy, missing six games in 2022. He ended the season with 24 receptions on 44 targets for 369 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Furthermore, Jefferson had the game-winning touchdown in the Week 14 comeback victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
While the young receiver had a disappointing year, Jefferson finished second on the team in receiving touchdowns. More importantly, he ended last season as the WR89, averaging only 6.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. After struggling last year, what can fantasy players expect from the wide receiver in 2023?
Will Van Jefferson Bounce Back In 2023?
Jefferson is entering the final season of his rookie contract. Therefore, no one should be surprised if he has the best year of his career. More importantly, Matthew Stafford has high expectations for Jefferson this season. The veteran quarterback believes the former Gator will have a bounce-back year.
Fantasy players shouldn’t draft Jefferson in standard-size 12-team leagues. However, the young receiver could be a potential Week 1 waiver wire target. He was fantasy relevant in 2021, ending the year as the WR35, averaging 8.4 fantasy points per game.
The former Gator could have fantasy value this year, given the team’s lack of pass catchers. Cooper Kupp will be a top 2-3 fantasy wide receiver and see a massive target share. However, the other wide receiver options on the team are lackluster.
Last year Ben Skowronek and Tutu Atwell combined for 57 receptions for 674 receiving yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Demarcus Robinson and the rookie Puka Nacua fill out the team’s wide receiver room. Therefore, Jefferson has a chance to become fantasy relevant in 2023.
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