As we inch toward the new season, the ever-changing NFL landscape has player fantasy values constantly on the move. Whether you’re used to the dynasty platform or are still learning the rules, let’s dive into the latest dynasty fantasy football value of Van Jefferson.
Van Jefferson’s Dynasty Outlook and Value
The Rams selected Jefferson in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was a four-year college player whose main attribute was his ability to run very fast in a straight line. Through three NFL seasons, that description seems about right.
Jefferson has blazing 4.39 speed, but not much else. His 220 receiving yards as a rookie fell well short of the 500-yard threshold we look for. Impressively, he was able to manage an 800-yard season as a sophomore. However, his third campaign suggested that was just a fluke.
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In 2022, Jefferson caught 24 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games. His full-season paces were a substantial drop from the previous year. Even after Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson were done for the season, Jefferson’s production didn’t get any better. He didn’t catch more than three passes in a single game all year.
Jefferson did lead the NFL in average depth of target. With that type of usage, you would expect him to at least have a couple of big games. Instead, he averaged just 33.5 yards per game and didn’t top 50 receiving yards in a single contest until Weeks 17 and 18 with Baker Mayfield.
Van Jefferson’s Fantasy Ranking
Jefferson is entering the final year of his rookie contract. It’s quite normal for rookie deals to expire after four seasons, but it’s not normal for a player to be 28 years old when the deal is done.
Fantasy managers don’t need to roster Jefferson. Perhaps in deeper leagues, he’s worth a speculative stash. But after three seasons, it’s hard to imagine Jefferson ever ascending beyond a rotational WR3/4 at the NFL level. At best, he’s a fantasy WR5, which would far exceed our WR74 (No. 181) ranking in our dynasty Superflex rankings. There’s no compelling reason to target Jefferson in dynasty startup drafts.