Rams News: Van Jefferson Focusing On Being All-Around Player
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Rams receiving room is in great shape heading into the 2022 seasons despite trading away Robert Woods and with Odell Beckham Jr. still on the free agency market.

Trading away Woods was a financial decision the Rams made in order to give them more wiggle room for extensions for Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp. However, Los Angeles pivoted well by agreeing to terms with Allen Robinson on a three-year deal.

Kupp and Robinson will likely lead the Rams in targets during the 2022 season, though Van Jefferson should not be forgotten as the team’s outside threat. Jefferson stepped up in his second season where he recorded 50 receptions for 802 yards and six touchdowns.

Jefferson is expected to take up more responsibility in the offense and he acknowledged he is focused on trying to do everything well, via Cameron DaSilva of USA Today:

“I just try to be an all-around player,” he said this week. “Whatever role that they want me to play, that’s the role I’m gonna do. Whatever I can do to help the team win. Last year was just a role that I was suited with and I tried to do it to the best of my ability and it worked out. This year, I’m just going to whatever role they want me to play and execute that to the best of my ability, so that’s kind of my mindset on that.”

Jefferson will likely resume his role as the team’s de-facto downfield threat though he has shown flashes of being able to make plays at all three levels of the field. He possesses good size and is able to make contested grabs, so perhaps that is something head coach Sean McVay explores more of next season.

With another year of experience under his belt and with Robinson likely needing time to acclimate, Jefferson could be in line for another career year should things break right.