Rams deal WR Jefferson to Falcons
The Rams have agreed to trade wide receiver Van Jefferson to the Atlanta Falcons, a source confirmed Tuesday.
The sides were still working through details, but NFL Network reported that the teams would swap sixth- and seventh-round picks in the 2025 NFL draft.
Jefferson entered the 2023 season as the Rams' second receiver, their seemingly top option after Cooper Kupp suffered a hamstring pull in training camp.
But the emergences of rookie Puka Nacua and third-year receiver Tutu Atwell, combined with the return
of Kupp from injured reserve, left Jefferson with just two snaps in Sunday's loss to the Eagles.
Jefferson, 27, will get the chance in Atlanta to recoup some value ahead of free agency following this season. In 2021, he caught 50 passes for 802 yards and six touchdowns.
In Atlanta, Jefferson will join former USC star Drake London (17 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns) and tight ends Kyle Pitts (18-208-0) and Jonnu Smith (21-206-0) in a passing attack led by secondyear quarterback Desmond Ridder that ranks 23rd in the NFL with 195.2 passing yards per game.
Last season, Jefferson — the son of former Chargers star receiver Shawn Jefferson — underwent left knee surgery in early August and missed the first six games. In the team's last eight games, with Kupp out and quarterback Matthew Stafford
and receiver Allen Robinson sidelined for the final seven games, Jefferson recorded 21 catches for 342 yards and two touchdowns.
The transaction marks the Rams' second significant trade in less than three weeks of highly regarded 2020 draft picks.
The Rams selected Jefferson out of Florida in the second round (57th overall), a pick acquired after sending wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Texans.
On Sept. 20, they agreed to trade running back Cam Akers and a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick to the Vikings for a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick. Akers was drafted five picks before Jefferson (52nd overall) in 2020.