How Does Van Jefferson Trade Impact Los Angeles Rams Salary Cap?

What is the financial impact of the Los Angeles Rams' trade of Van Jefferson to the Atlanta Falcons?

The Los Angeles Rams have traded two of their second-round picks from the 2020 NFL Draft this season, but how does that affect the franchise's bottom line?

The Rams have parted ways with running back Cam Akers (Minnesota Vikings) and wide receiver Van Jefferson (Atlanta Falcons) with the latter move coming on Tuesday. How does this latest change impact the team's cap space?

Los Angeles has already paid Jefferson $792,195 this season and will clear $993,167 in cap space after the trade, and as Jefferson is in a contract year, the trade will not affect the team in 2024.

Van Jefferson hauls in a pass in a Super Bowl matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals :: © Sam Greene/Cincinnati Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

In other words, despite $75 million in dead money this season, the move will not affect the Rams' future cap flexibility in 2024 - in which Los Angeles is only on the books for $700,000, per Adam Schefter.

Jefferson was selected by the Rams in the 2020 NFL Draft. A product of the Florida Gators (and early college days with the Ole Miss Rebels), his breakout season came in 2021, when he had 50 receptions for 809 yards and six touchdowns, typically serving as a deep threat in the slot alongside Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods/Odell Beckham Jr.

After an injury-plagued 2022 season, though, Jefferson largely lost his role in the offense. Even with Kupp missing the start of the season, Jefferson fell behind the likes of Tutu Atwell and rookie sensation Puka Nacua on the Rams' depth chart. Now that Kupp is back, it was hard to see him getting much playing time going forward.