Odell Or Van Jefferson
Odell Beckham Jr. and Van Jefferson Could Make Odell Jefferson a Top-15 WR This Week
Odell Beckham Jr.’s arrival in Los Angeles sent shockwaves through both NFL and fantasy football circles. While Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Van Jefferson already offer talented receiving options on Los Angeles Rams roster, should Beckham miss any time through injury Van Jefferson could find himself seeing increased playing time as Beckham leaves more opportunities open up for him to fill.
Jefferson had his finest season as a pro during his rookie campaign when he caught 50 passes for 802 yards and six touchdowns – nine catches totaling 102 yards in four playoff games when the Rams won their first Super Bowl since 2022!
While Jefferson may see his role reduce somewhat now that Kupp and Allen Robinson have signed for three more seasons, he can still bring value in standard and PPR leagues as a big-play threat who helps open intermediate and short routes for Matthew Stafford.
Jefferson has seen an average of eight targets per game since joining the Rams, ranking as WR9 with five catches and 81 yards during week 12. Should OBJ be sidelined this week, his target count could increase further; making Jefferson one of the premier fantasy receivers against Jacksonville’s league-worst pass defense.
Jefferson should be considered when searching for flex options this week in shallow leagues or looking for someone to add on as a third down option alongside Beckham on the outside. His performance for the Rams over recent seasons has made him worth taking a chance on.
Jefferson might not take over Robinson or Woods’ spot as starting right guard, but he could make a significant impactful statement to an opposing team that’s desperate to return to playoff contention. Their offense needs more explosive play than has been present recently and Jefferson provides another avenue of attack to consider in their offensive plans.
Jefferson’s main challenge in breaking into a starting role with the Rams has been his inability to get acclimated with their playbook, though that can sometimes prove challenging. With enough experience under his belt and his size/speed combination making him an effective deep threat in NFL action if healthy, Jefferson is sure to become an invaluable fantasy receiver for fantasy leagues if he stays healthy enough. Jefferson could quickly become a weekly starter for Los Angeles but must first prove he can handle increased playing time before becoming a consistent option in dynasty formats.