Van Jefferson's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson will face off against his former team, the Atlanta Falcons, in Week 1. Jefferson has flashed potential since entering the league in 2020 and begins his fifth professional season with an opportunity to become the WR2 in Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old impressed throughout camp and drew praise from the Steelers' coaching staff all summer. Unfortunately, he'll have his work cut out for him on Sunday against a Falcons defense that limited wideouts to the sixth-fewest fantasy points in the NFL last season. Jefferson's role in new play-caller Arthur Smith's offense is worth monitoring but he is best left on fantasy waiver wires for now.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told the media that he "can't say enough" about the consistency exhibited by wide receivers Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller this summer. Both receivers were new additions this offseason and appear to have earned some praise from the coaching staff. Jefferson caught 20 passes for 209 yards last year while Miller tallied 11 catches, 161 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. It's unclear exactly what role they will have in 2024, but Tomlin's praise gives them some extra credibility and favor as the Steelers sort through their depth behind George Pickens. With that said, they can both be avoided in fantasy football for the time being.

After signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency this offseason, he is in pole position to start the 2024 season as the No. 2 wideout behind George Pickens. Jefferson showed flashes of being able to handle that role in 2021 with 50 catches and 802 yards with the Los Angeles Rams, but he hasn't done much since then, which is concerning. The 27-year-old also didn't really stand out at all during offseason workouts, so he'll need to show more in training camp and the preseason to stick as the No. 2 as he competes mainly with Calvin Austin III and third-round rookie Roman Wilson. In 17 games (nine starts) with the Rams and Atlanta Falcons in 2023, Jefferson had just 20 receptions on 43 targets for 209 yards and no touchdowns. Even if he does win the WR2 job to open the year, Jefferson can probably be left to the waiver wire in 12-team fantasy leagues.