Atlanta Falcons New WR Van Jefferson 'Very Intelligent'

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith shares how new wide receiver Van Jefferson was able to acclimate with the offense so quickly.

Last week, the Atlanta Falcons traded with the Los Angeles Rams to acquire fourth-year wide receiver Van Jefferson, who managed to play in just three days and impressed head coach Arthur Smith in the process.

“It’s a credit to Van,” Smith said. “Van came in here and picked up things; worked extremely hard. He’s very, very intelligent.

“He had something that we didn’t have. He’s another speed guy but a really good route-runner, and he’s got size to go with it. So, we took a shot with him. If you’re risk-averse, you probably check it down to Drake. Des believed in him. Saw it on the practice field, and he was rolling. They were even with him and felt like that old adage gave him a chance. I think he put the ball about 62 or 63 yards in the air. We missed him, but he’s a guy that can take the top off.”

Van Jefferson brings speed to the Atlanta Falcons offense, according to head coach Arthur Smith / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Although Jefferson finished with no receiving yards, the fact that quarterback Desmond Ridder trusted him enough to target him twice after just three days of working with the team is a testament to the type of player and teammate the Falcons inherited. 

Before joining Atlanta, Jefferson had recorded roughly 1,500 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a Ram. Measuring over six feet tall and 200 pounds, he can potentially be a dangerous asset in an offense that already features big-bodied pass-catching duos in receivers Drake London and Mack Hollins and tight ends Jonnu Smith and Kyle Pitts.

If Jefferson can continue learning quickly and return to his 2021 form, when he had over 800 yards receiving, then perhaps Ridder and this Falcons offense will finally hit stride next week against a divisional rival in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.