Guest of the League
TBL2 Est. 2008
FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1
Van Jefferson

WR ATL

College: Florida | 4 years
Height: 6'1" | Weight: 200 lbs
Birth Date: 1996-07-26
2024 Bye Week: 9

Salary: $2
Total Pts: 31.65
Avg Pts: 1.86
Rank: 128 WR

Jager Bombs

2024 RTSports Outlook

Jefferson opened his season with the Rams last year but was traded to the Falcons. He didn't play much with either team, catching eight passes with the Rams and 12 with the Falcons. Jefferson finished with 20 receptions for 209 yards. Jefferson has one season with 50 receptions but fewer than 25 receptions his other three seasons in the NFL. He signed with the Steelers this offseason and will look to play a bigger role with his new team. Jefferson runs good routes. He also does well on the deep ball and can be a big-play threat because of his speed. He does lack some strength, though, and his hands are just alright, having 11 drops in three seasons.

FANTASY OUTLOOK: Jefferson should get some more work but be hit or miss in his current role. He is a deep reserve for fantasy teams. He could get around 30 receptions for 400 yards and two scores.

FreeDraftGuide.com

RotoBaller's Outlook

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson has not been overly productive during his four-year NFL career, but the team's wideout depth chart behind George Pickens leaves a lot to be desired, so he could be the No. 2 option in 2024. Originally a 2020 second-round pick out of Florida, Jefferson has hauled in 113 receptions for 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns in 61 career games. He's been a decent third or fourth option in a passing attack, but his familiarity with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith from their brief stint together in Atlanta could give him an early leg up on rookie Roman Wilson or veterans Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller, and Quez Watkins. All that said, the Pittsburgh offense is likely to run through the running back tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren behind an improved offensive line. Through the air, Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth should be the focal points. Jefferson presents potential spike-week upside for best ball leagues, but he's unlikely to be a consistent producer worth inserting in flex spots in traditional leagues.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson has not been overly productive during his four-year NFL career, but the team's wideout depth chart behind George Pickens leaves a lot to be desired, so he could be the No. 2 option in 2024. Originally a 2020 second-round pick out of Florida, Jefferson has hauled in 113 receptions for 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns in 61 career games. He's been a decent third or fourth option in a passing attack, but his familiarity with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith from their brief stint together in Atlanta could give him an early leg up on rookie Roman Wilson or veterans Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller, and Quez Watkins. All that said, the Pittsburgh offense is likely to run through the running back tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren behind an improved offensive line. Through the air, Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth should be the focal points. Jefferson presents potential spike-week upside for best ball leagues, but he's unlikely to be a consistent producer worth inserting in flex spots in traditional leagues.

Fantasy WeekPts
Scoring
Week 15.20With Los Angeles Rams
Van Jefferson 4 receptions (4.00 pts)
Van Jefferson 24 rush, pass, and rec yds (1.20 pts)
Week 21.45With Los Angeles Rams
Van Jefferson 1 reception (1.00 pts)
Van Jefferson 9 rush, pass, and rec yds (0.45 pts)
Week 34.50With Los Angeles Rams
Van Jefferson 1 reception (1.00 pts)
Van Jefferson 50 rush, pass, and rec yds (2.50 pts)
Van Jefferson 1 tackle (1.00 pts)
Week 43.45With Los Angeles Rams
Van Jefferson 2 receptions (2.00 pts)
Van Jefferson 29 rush, pass, and rec yds (1.45 pts)
Week 50.00With Los Angeles Rams
Week 60.00
Week 71.25Van Jefferson 1 reception (1.00 pts)
Van Jefferson 5 rush, pass, and rec yds (0.25 pts)
Week 84.20Van Jefferson 3 receptions (3.00 pts)
Van Jefferson 24 rush, pass, and rec yds (1.20 pts)
Week 91.70Van Jefferson 1 reception (1.00 pts)
Van Jefferson 14 rush, pass, and rec yds (0.70 pts)
Week 100.00
Week 11
Week 121.65Van Jefferson 1 reception (1.00 pts)
Van Jefferson 13 rush, pass, and rec yds (0.65 pts)
Week 130.00
Week 140.00
Playoff Week 10.00
Playoff Week 21.65Van Jefferson 1 reception (1.00 pts)
Van Jefferson 13 rush, pass, and rec yds (0.65 pts)
Playoff Week 33.95Van Jefferson 3 receptions (3.00 pts)
Van Jefferson 19 rush, pass, and rec yds (0.95 pts)
Player Notes
Jul 12 1:30pm ET

After signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency this offseason, he is in pole position to start the 2024 season as the No. 2 wideout behind George Pickens. Jefferson showed flashes of being able to handle that role in 2021 with 50 catches and 802 yards with the Los Angeles Rams, but he hasn't done much since then, which is concerning. The 27-year-old also didn't really stand out at all during offseason workouts, so he'll need to show more in training camp and the preseason to stick as the No. 2 as he competes mainly with Calvin Austin III and third-round rookie Roman Wilson. In 17 games (nine starts) with the Rams and Atlanta Falcons in 2023, Jefferson had just 20 receptions on 43 targets for 209 yards and no touchdowns. Even if he does win the WR2 job to open the year, Jefferson can probably be left to the waiver wire in 12-team fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Jun 18 12:50pm ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers needed wide receiver Van Jefferson to stand out during offseason workouts, but he didn't. Spring practices typically don't mean a ton, but nothing has jumped out to suggest that Jefferson can be a difference-maker in 2024 with both Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson II now out of town. Outside of George Pickens, there is a lot of opportunity in the Steelers' receivers room, but it looks like Jefferson hasn't really seized a role. As we head to training camp at the end of July, Jefferson will be competing with Calvin Austin II, rookie Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller and Quez Watkins for a role in the passing game in his first year in Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old had 20 receptions for only 209 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games (nine starts) with the Falcons and Rams in 2023 and will be a long shot for fantasy relevance outside of very deep leagues as receiver depth.

From RotoBaller

Jun 11 11:50am ET

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson signed a one-year, $1.29 million contract to join the organization this offseason, and Mark Kaboly of the Athletic said he looks like the team's No. 2 wide receiver after OTAs. After moving on from Diontae Johnson, third-year wideout George Pickens is the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver, but the depth chart behind him is weak on paper. Rookie Roman Wilson and veterans Calvin Austin III, Quez Watkins, and Scotty Miller are also likely to compete for targets behind Pickens, but Jefferson could have more fantasy football value than expected. The former second-round pick out of Florida has tallied 113 receptions for 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns in 61 games with the Rams and Atlanta Falcons. The Pittsburgh offense is tough to navigate for fantasy football in 2024, especially since many expect Russell Wilson to eventually be benched for Justin Fields. Ultimately, fantasy managers in shallow setups should likely opt to focus on acquiring Pickens or tight end Pat Freiermuth and the Steelers' running back tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the offense will likely remain a run-heavy attack.

From RotoBaller

Mar 15 7:10pm ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing free-agent wide receiver Van Jefferson to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday. After the trade of receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers this week, the move to sign Jefferson will give new quarterback Russell Wilson a new weapon alongside George Pickens and Calvin Austin III. The 27-year-old former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 spent time with new Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith with the Atlanta Falcons last year, catching 12 of 28 targets for 101 yards in 12 games (five starts) with the team. The move to Pittsburgh should be a boost for Jefferson's weak fantasy value, but the Steelers could also add to the position in the upcoming NFL draft. In four years in the NFL, Jefferson has 113 receptions for 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns in 61 games (35 starts).

From RotoBaller

Player Transactions
  • 15-Mar-2024: Van Jefferson - SGN - The Pittsburgh Steelers signed WR Van Jefferson.
  • 15-Mar-2024: Van Jefferson - FA - WR Van Jefferson elected free agency.
  • 10-Oct-2023: Van Jefferson - TRD - The Los Angeles Rams traded WR Van Jefferson to the Atlanta Falcons.
  • 24-Sep-2022: LAR Van Jefferson - On IR - knee
  • 27-Jul-2020: LAR - Signed, Draft Choice - Four-year contract (through 2023)
NFL Week
OppPtsRecRec
Yds
Rec
TDs
Rec
Tgt
100
Yds
Rush
Att
Rush
Yds
Rush
TDs
Fum
Lost
2023 Season31.652020904301400
Week 1@SEA5.204240500000
Week 2SF1.45190400000
Week 3@CIN4.501460301400
Week 4@IND3.452290300000
Week 5PHI0.00000000000
Week 6WAS0.00000200000
Week 7@TB1.25150200000
Week 8@TEN4.203240500000
Week 9MIN1.701140400000
Week 10@ARI0.00000100000
Week 11bye
Week 12NO1.651130200000
Week 13@NYJ0.00000000000
Week 14TB0.00000000000
Week 15@CAR0.00000100000
Week 16IND1.651130300000
Week 17@CHI3.953190500000
Week 18@NO2.652130300000