Van Jefferson DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Tennessee Titans are signing former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson to a one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million. Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reported the news. The former Florida Gator spent one season in Pittsburgh, accumulating just 24 receptions, 276 yards, and two touchdowns in 17 games. Jefferson played the second-most snaps of all Steelers wideouts with 755 (George Pickens). The 28-year-old has eclipsed 370 receiving yards only once in his career (in 2022 with the Rams) but figures to slot in as the team's second WR behind incumbent primary option Calvin Ridley. He'll now vie for targets with fellow wideouts Tyler Boyd and Treylon Burks and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo. Jefferson regularly disappeared last season, recording one catch or fewer in nine appearances, and will be difficult to trust as a viable fantasy option in 2025 despite the change of scenery.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson caught both of his targets for 37 receiving yards and a touchdown in a 28-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Jefferson, who scored just twice in the regular season, gave the Steelers their first points of the evening when he came down in the end zone with a beautiful 30-yard deep ball from quarterback Russell Wilson in the third quarter. He was quiet for much of the rest of the contest. The 28-year-old will now be looking for a new contract, in Pittsburgh or elsewhere, as he is set to enter unrestricted free agency this offseason.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson is off the fantasy radar when the Steelers take on Kansas City on Christmas Day. The veteran has played more than 70% of the Steelers' snaps the past three weeks, but that seems likely to change with top receiver George Pickens (hamstring) likely to return to the lineup. The Chiefs' defense ranks in the middle of the pack against fantasy receivers, but it's difficult to see Jefferson getting enough action in a run-loving Pittsburgh offense when competing for targets with Pickens, receiver Calvin Austin III, and tight end Pat Freiermuth.

Despite what could be additional opportunity, fantasy managers should steer clear of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson in a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Top Pittsburgh receiver George Pickens (hamstring) missed the previous two contests and is out again against Baltimore, but that hasn't really led to much for Jefferson, who had two catches for 10 yards and a touchdown in those two games despite playing the majority of the offensive snaps. The Ravens rank 31st against fantasy wide receivers, but it's tough to trust the journeyman to be a beneficiary. Managers holding Pickens should look elsewhere for a backup plan.

With Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) being ruled out for a second straight game, Van Jefferson will have an increased role again in a Week 15 battle on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. In the Week 14 win over the division-rival Cleveland Browns last week with Pickens sidelined, Jefferson played a team-high 74 percent of the offensive snaps, but it resulted in just one catch on one target for a 10-yard touchdown reception, his second of the season. The 28-year-old pass-catcher will no doubt be on the field plenty this weekend in Philly, but expecting him to put up fantasy relevant numbers is unrealistic in Pittsburgh's low-volume passing attack against an Eagles defense that has been stingy against pass-catchers in 2024. Jefferson has caught only four of six targets in the last three weeks.