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~~ Van Jefferson ~~
The only thing I knew about Van Jefferson before diving into this tape was that my good friend and trusted FF analyst @jverzosa2 called him the best route-runner in this class.
He wasn't wrong.
VJ is a technical phenomenon.
The only thing I knew about Van Jefferson before diving into this tape was that my good friend and trusted FF analyst @jverzosa2 called him the best route-runner in this class.
He wasn't wrong.
VJ is a technical phenomenon.
But first, let's look at the numbers.
Unfortunately, VJ was diagnosed with a Jones fracture in his foot right before the NFL combine, which kept him from all athletic testing. But I found this stat from the Senior Bowl interesting... https://twitter.com/JimNagy_SB/status/1246444842902839296?s=20
Unfortunately, VJ was diagnosed with a Jones fracture in his foot right before the NFL combine, which kept him from all athletic testing. But I found this stat from the Senior Bowl interesting... https://twitter.com/JimNagy_SB/status/1246444842902839296?s=20
^ I'm not saying that he definitely would have run a sub-4.4, but an interesting stat to note when thinking of his long speed.
Otherwise,
6'2, 200
Taken in the late second round of the 2020 draft, LAR's second pick in the draft (only 5 picks behind their first pick).
Otherwise,
6'2, 200
Taken in the late second round of the 2020 draft, LAR's second pick in the draft (only 5 picks behind their first pick).
Because of his lack of combine and poor college production (which I mainly fault Franks' abysmal play for), VJ did not bode well in my WR model, slotting in as WR18 behind Tyler Johnson and in front of Lynn Bowden. But because of his circumstances, I have an asterisk by his name.
Here comes the fun stuff.
It was SO MUCH FUN watching VJ go to work in these tapes. It's a shame he was only with Trask for one year.
Biggest takeaways:
QUICK feet
Stop time
YAC ability
It was SO MUCH FUN watching VJ go to work in these tapes. It's a shame he was only with Trask for one year.
Biggest takeaways:
QUICK feet Stop time YAC ability
As always, thanks to @DynastyNerds for their stellar rookie film room.
Also a special thanks to @EthanT1890 for his YouTube clip of Van Jefferson's first NFL TD in week 11. Find the full clip here:
Also a special thanks to @EthanT1890 for his YouTube clip of Van Jefferson's first NFL TD in week 11. Find the full clip here:
Quick feet
I cropped and slowed this play down to see more closely the nuances of Van's route.
He runs straight toward the defender. Chops his feet before the plant to throw off timing, making his turn less predictable. Uses his head, hands, upper body lean to fake right... 1/
I cropped and slowed this play down to see more closely the nuances of Van's route.
He runs straight toward the defender. Chops his feet before the plant to throw off timing, making his turn less predictable. Uses his head, hands, upper body lean to fake right... 1/
Full-speed of play^
...then plants hard on R foot to cut across midfield. The upper-body fake to the right is important bc it turns the defender's hips to the outside + shifts his weight to the wrong side. That's how VJ gets > 1 yard of separation in <2 seconds. Technician. /2
...then plants hard on R foot to cut across midfield. The upper-body fake to the right is important bc it turns the defender's hips to the outside + shifts his weight to the wrong side. That's how VJ gets > 1 yard of separation in <2 seconds. Technician. /2
Here is VJ's first NFL TD.
Slide the defender outside with the threat of a corner fade, forcing him to open his hips outside. Once the defender commits (hips facing sideline instead of WR), VJ cuts inside for maximum separation.
Slide the defender outside with the threat of a corner fade, forcing him to open his hips outside. Once the defender commits (hips facing sideline instead of WR), VJ cuts inside for maximum separation.
Quick right jab off the release makes the defender strafe outside, giving VJ enough room to make another plant and cut inside. Does all this before the ball even hits the RB's gut. If this were PA, the QB would be able to hit an open VJ in the EZ immediately after the fake.
Well-designed play by UF here. Swaim (right) does a great job distracting/blocking the LB + SS to give VJ room for this TD.
Most impressed by VJ's turnaround speed. I know he wasn't going full speed on his fade fake, but the ability to do a 180 on a dime is still impressive. 1/
Most impressed by VJ's turnaround speed. I know he wasn't going full speed on his fade fake, but the ability to do a 180 on a dime is still impressive. 1/
Full-speed makes the turnaround that much more impressive. The only thing I wish I would have seen is maybe a head fake by looking over his left shoulder before the turn. But honestly, it was so early in the route that it wasn't really necessary.
Top of GIF.
Convinces defender of a 9 route. Stops, turns, and is ready to catch in 3 steps. Perfect 5-yard curl.
I'm not the right person to call him an elite mover, but I really want to. @angelo_fantasy what's your take on Van's movement ability?
Convinces defender of a 9 route. Stops, turns, and is ready to catch in 3 steps. Perfect 5-yard curl.
I'm not the right person to call him an elite mover, but I really want to. @angelo_fantasy what's your take on Van's movement ability?
YAC
Bubble screen. One man to beat. Does it with ease.
VJ hits the turbo as soon as he passes the CB, making 33 look like he's running in slow-motion.
Note the cradle switch from L to R after he beats the 1st defender.
Fights for every yard.
Bubble screen. One man to beat. Does it with ease.
VJ hits the turbo as soon as he passes the CB, making 33 look like he's running in slow-motion.
Note the cradle switch from L to R after he beats the 1st defender.
Fights for every yard.
YAC
Analyzes the situation while he still has space. His quick feet to fake outside gives him juuuuust enough room to squeak by DB knowing that the LB would bring him down. But he adds an extra 3-5 yards with his next-level processing and quick feet.
Analyzes the situation while he still has space. His quick feet to fake outside gives him juuuuust enough room to squeak by DB knowing that the LB would bring him down. But he adds an extra 3-5 yards with his next-level processing and quick feet.
YAC
As he comes down the ball, VJ turns his head forward to see where the 1st defender is. Notices DB closing off the outside lane, so cuts inside AS HE LANDS to gain an extra 2-4 yards.
His processing speed is top-notch.
As he comes down the ball, VJ turns his head forward to see where the 1st defender is. Notices DB closing off the outside lane, so cuts inside AS HE LANDS to gain an extra 2-4 yards.
His processing speed is top-notch.
Another look at this play slowed-down so you can see just how quickly VJ processes his situation and makes the best play to gain the most yards possible.
Overall, Van Jefferson is a talented route runner in a crowded WR corps.
With Kupp, Woods, and Higbee all under contract for the next 3 years, I don't expect VJ to really be a viable weekly fantasy starter.
(Though, both Kupp and Woods have outs after 2021 w/ minimal dead cap)
With Kupp, Woods, and Higbee all under contract for the next 3 years, I don't expect VJ to really be a viable weekly fantasy starter.
(Though, both Kupp and Woods have outs after 2021 w/ minimal dead cap)
BUT, what I will be watching for is whether or not LAR re-signs upcoming UFA Josh Reynolds. If yes, VJ still needs time/LAR don't trust him enough. If no, VJ.
Either way, I'm buying VJ where I can while he's still cheap. He has all the tools to become a Stefon Diggs lite.
. Either way, I'm buying VJ where I can while he's still cheap. He has all the tools to become a Stefon Diggs lite.
What are YOU doing with Van Jefferson?
