With the 57th pick in the NFL draft the Los Angeles Rams select Van jefferson

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You cant have too many good route runners. Once upon a time some great teams had them.

Manning with Wayne and Harrison. Warner with Bruce and Holt.

Goff is maybe the best anticipation thrower in the game right now and route running really fits well with Goff's strengths.

Jefferson appears to have the route running that Cooks did, but also the ability to, you know, hold onto the ball when hit.

I personally think not getting a center is a head scratcher. But there are a whole lot of solid guard prospects that we will be able to get on day 3, so I'm not too concerned just yet.
 
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I was really enjoying the two Tight End sets. The Oline really needed the extra blocker and Higbee blossomed. This pick tells me that McVay still hasn't realized that his favorite formation isn't always the best one. He'll try forcing the three wide receiver/one TE sets and the Oline will get beat, until about the tenth game of the year, when he'll finally go back to what works.
 
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I kind of skipped through the comments but say a couple ago my initial thoughts.

This may have been a pick for Goffs talents. Having two Kupps on the field doesn't sound like a bad thing to me. Actually sounds defensively complicated.

Guy is on a rail with route running.
 
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Do not like this pick at all. Yes he can be a solid slot in NFL. No we do not need that. Unless Rams have already decided to let Kupp go I can not understand the pick.
 
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I don't think the Rams plan on letting Kupp go. They greatly value the WR position. They didn't hesitate to pay Cooks
top dollar and they moved players this year to create cap space next year with Kupp in mind.
I don't see why Jefferson and Kupp can't play together.
OTOH, this is the last year on Reynold's contract and Woods has two years left.
 
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Kupp and Reynolds are on the final year of their contract. Unless he's willing to play for free, the newly minted #11 will be looking for a new team after the season, Kupp isnt going anywhere
Jefferson plays the #3 role and has 2 seasons to prepare to take over for Woods
 
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I watched a lot of Van Jefferson over the years. Here are my thoughts on him:
  • He's roughly 6'1.5" 200 pounds with relatively long arms, adequate speed, great quickness for his size, and adequate play strength.
  • Like Cooper Kupp, he's a very sure-handed WR who easily snatches passes away from his body, will make difficult catches in traffic, and can come up with the football with a defender on his back. However, he is not a guy who will win a lot of jump balls.
  • Van makes his money with his route running, quickness, savvy, and technical prowess. His father was a NFL WR and a long-time NFL WR Coach. Van is a very well-schooled WR who has an array of releases and understands the nuances of route running. He uses leverage to tilt DBs, subtle fakes to get them to open up in the wrong direction, and efficient footwork to create separation at the break point.
  • Van is a smart and reliable WR who will be where he's supposed to be when he's supposed to be.
  • He's not afraid of a contact and will make difficult catches knowing he's going to take a big hit.
  • Great body control makes him effective on the sidelines and on back-shoulder throws.
  • Great red-zone target who will make difficult catches in traffic and ratchet open windows with his quickness and route running. Like Cooper Kupp, he'll be effective in the red-zone because he's sure-handed and very, very good at quickly uncovering.
  • He's an adequate blocker. He's not Robert Woods or Cooper Kupp in this department. Maybe they can help him develop here.
  • His YAC skills are also only adequate. He has some elusiveness and can pick up yardage when hit in stride, but he's not going to break through tackles like Kupp does.
  • He's not very physical while running routes and can have his game disrupted by physical CB play. He wins with quickness, not physicality.
Ultimately, I think Van is a Z or a Slot WR in this scheme. I think he could play the X, but he would be less effective there, as it would allow more physical CBs to rough him up. Letting him and Kupp play off each other as the SL and Z WRs will give defenses nightmares. With their route running abilities and football IQs, Goff will be a kid in the candy store. It will be tough to keep both guys covered at the same time. Van is pro ready and is capable of having a very productive rookie season if he earns a big role.
 
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Like the player not the fit. Makes me wonder if Rams looking for a Kupp replacement.
 
rams1fan said:
Do not like this pick at all. Yes he can be a solid slot in NFL. No we do not need that. Unless Rams have already decided to let Kupp go I can not understand the pick.
Click to expand...

I don't know why people are relegating Jefferson to the slot. He wasn't a slot WR at Florida. He spent most of his snaps as the Gators' X or Z WR. And he torched some talented CBs. It's funny. I was reading through the Cooper Kupp thread tonight that I made a little over three years ago when I was begging the Rams to draft him. People were saying this exact same thing. "We don't need another slot WR." Well, shit, we can always use another WR who gets open and catches the football.
 
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View: https://youtu.be/KI3tUZUPWGU


Here’s a pretty good breakdown of his route running. You can see how sophisticated it is, against a very good corner. Worth a watch, I think.

This one, his reps at Senior Bowl practice.


View: https://youtu.be/Qip1a9Y3l2M


And a highlight tape.


View: https://youtu.be/vTFTXMerz7E


There are coaches using his route running as examples to teach.

You can’t have enough playmakers like this guy on your team. He could make a game 1 impact for us, at any WR position.
 
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i think he has already passed reynolds on the depth chart.

great routes and makes tough catches when challenged.

i would much prefer to see this guy on the field than reynolds.

.
 
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I think we could be saying Van Jefferson for many years to come. He looks like a great fit; routes, hands, readiness.

He is a different player yet has a lot of parallel attributes to Woods and Kupp. I see why the Rams saw him as “a Ram”.

Besides sort of like “Flipper Anderson” is just rolls off the tongue... “Van Jefferson”.

Might take a leap and buy his Jersey.
 
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TXRams86 said:
You know, back in 2014 the Rams greatest needs did not include a defensive tackle. They picked up a guy named Aaron Donald anyway. He turned out ok.
Just give the guy a chance, jeez.
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You mean the MVP of the entire NFL? THAT Aaron Donald? Yes. Agreed. Personally I’d like more quality LBs included in our draft but I think the Rams learned their lesson from last year. I do expect Day 3 to bring a little relief on that front.
 
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