The best kept secret of the 2022 Rams?

[CGI_Ram]

What do you see as the one thing, unit, or player people are under estimating about the 2022 Rams?

What is our “best kept secret”?

Every NFL Team's Best-Kept Secret for 2022​

STORY LINK

Los Angeles Rams: WR Van Jefferson​

When folks talk about the wide receiver corps for the Los Angeles Rams, the conversation usually starts with superstar Cooper Kupp. Then it moves to the newly acquired Allen Robinson II. Or even to the question of whether or not the team will bring back Odell Beckham Jr.

That's all well and good. But Justin Melo of The Draft Network thinks a bigger percentage of the conversation should center on third-year-pro Van Jefferson:

"Jefferson is an underrated receiver that’s fully capable of producing a 1,000-yard campaign. The Brentwood, Tennessee native is a slippery and smooth route runner that can effectively work the intermediate and deep areas. Snead and McVay have routinely made splashes since taking charge of the Rams and may prefer to pair Kupp and Robinson with Beckham as they attempt to secure back-to-back Super Bowl victories. Much remains undecided, but Jefferson possesses every trait necessary to experience a successful campaign in 2022."

Jefferson has already shown he can make a dent in the stat sheet—after making just 19 catches as a rookie, he posted a 50/802/6 stat line on 89 targets in 2021. Jefferson's eight targets in Super Bowl LVI trailed only Kupp among Rams players.

Given all the single coverage Jefferson's going to see playing with Robinson and Kupp in 2022, it won't take that big a bump in target share for that 1,000-yard season Melo mentioned to become a distinct possibility.

 

[OntarioRam]

Jefferson is a good WR. But he will only ever be a supportin cast player IMO. I don't think we will ever see much more production out of him than what we are currently getting. It is my view that there is not enough dog in him to ever rise above the other excellent WRs on the Rams' roster, in Kupp and Robinson, and if injuries ever strike, I think that would show, if Jefferson was thrust into a leading role long-term, such that the Rams would be forced to look for external help if Jefferson was ever a leading weapon for an extended period of time. Also, there are only so many snaps to go around. The Rams have very capable TEs and RBs, assuming the latter stay healthy.

You need quality depth like Jefferson to fill out a roster. But I do not anticipate he will be re-signed, or be taking any major steps forward from this point on. Some other team will likely overpay for him when it's time for a new contract, as the Rams fill his spot internally via the draft.

EDIT - The article is certainly correct when it says Van is a good route runner. People forget he was very open in the end zone late in the Super Bowl, for what would have likely been the game-winning catch. It was a throw of high difficulty, squeezing it over the LBer, but Stafford has the talent to make it, and arguably should have been able to fit it in, for what he is being paid to deliver in the biggest moments, but he missed him, despite having an outstanding performance otherwise. Thankfully, Stafford hit Kupp moments later! I do wonder if the narrative on Van would change if he scores the TD there. I think it would, though mistakenly so, IMO, as people tend over hype or criticise singular moments. If Van makes that catch I wonder if he wouldn't be a good trade candidate to "sell high" to a team that thinks it is getting a budding star wideout... surely, we could find another capable WR3 behind Kupp and Robinson, be it internally or externally.

 

[den-the-coach]

I like Van Jefferson, just needs to battle for the ball more and become more consistent. I recognize, he was hurt most of post season and that's why in the Super Bowl Kupp's sidekick had to be Brycen Hopkins after Beckham went down, but I'm hoping Van spent some time in the weight room to get him stronger in order to propel him into the upper echelon of NFL wideouts.

 

[Mojo Ram]

I’d say it’s the addition of Allen Robinson. Folks seem to have no idea how good this guy is going to be here.

 

[XXXIVwin]

Greg Gaines

 

[Allen2McVay]

Greg Gaines

This is a good one because I really don't think he got enough mention in the Post-Season.

Every time, I watch the end of the Super Bowl (and that's a lot), there's a great example.

On the 3rd and 1 run-stop to set-up Donald's pressure/hit on Burrow on fourth down, Michaels and Collinsworth praised Aaron Donald for his one-arm-tackle of Perine short of the first down. Despite NBC having 79,000 camera angles, those idiots failed to see and comment that Greg Gaines and Donald made the same exact play. Each stood-up their blocker and, with a free hand (Donald's right and Gaines' left), in-tandem made the critical tackle.

Praised Donald; and ignored Gaines. These announcers have spotters! It's an example of why I mute the sound when I watch a Rams' game live. Tape it an then listen to the incompetent commentary after the fact.

 

[Merlin]

I wonder what happens if Tutu comes into camp hot. They will want his speed on the field and the top two are guys you want on the field as much as possible.

So Van may be see opportunities erode if he doesn't step it up. He certainly has the talent to be a good possession option, though how important is that with two elite possession guys in Kupp and Robinson.

Rams ideally will get explosive threat from the WR3 spot. So IMO there will be a lot of hope that Tutu can handle a workload.

 

[den-the-coach]

I wonder what happens if Tutu comes into camp hot.

Nothing like a Hot Tutu.

 

[Rams43]

No disrespect intended for Jefferson. He’s a terrific 3rd WR who will slip to #4 if OBJ is signed.

Here are my choices for best kept secrets in 2022 and in this order.

Greg Gaines
Joe Noteboom
Ernest Jones
Kyren Williams
Nick Scott

All should be ranked ahead of Jefferson as best kept secrets, imho.

 

[Merlin]

Nothing like a Hot Tutu.

Tutu would be an afterthought with Kupp & Robinson on the field. Imagine the terror he would instill in those third corners who would draw him. It would be more like:

 

[den-the-coach]

Tutu would be an afterthought with Kupp & Robinson on the field. Imagine the terror he would instill in those third corners who would draw him. It would be more like:

I need to see it and hopefully he can showcase the speed to go over the top of the defense which will aid Kupp & Robinson even more. Jefferson has that ability too, but Tutu should be faster being that he weights all of 82 pounds.

 

[dang]

Earnest Jones will come out of this season to become the next Fred Warner-level NFL ILB. I’ll humbly eat my words if I am wrong.

 

[Memento]

I honestly think all of our third and fourth round picks last year begin to shine. Ernest Jones is an easy pick, but people shouldn't sleep on BB3, Rochell or Jacob Harris either; I think all three of them could be very, very good.

 

[Malibu]

What do you see as the one thing, unit, or player people are under estimating about the 2022 Rams?

What is our “best kept secret”?

Every NFL Team's Best-Kept Secret for 2022​

STORY LINK

Los Angeles Rams: WR Van Jefferson​

When folks talk about the wide receiver corps for the Los Angeles Rams, the conversation usually starts with superstar Cooper Kupp. Then it moves to the newly acquired Allen Robinson II. Or even to the question of whether or not the team will bring back Odell Beckham Jr.

That's all well and good. But Justin Melo of The Draft Network thinks a bigger percentage of the conversation should center on third-year-pro Van Jefferson:

"Jefferson is an underrated receiver that’s fully capable of producing a 1,000-yard campaign. The Brentwood, Tennessee native is a slippery and smooth route runner that can effectively work the intermediate and deep areas. Snead and McVay have routinely made splashes since taking charge of the Rams and may prefer to pair Kupp and Robinson with Beckham as they attempt to secure back-to-back Super Bowl victories. Much remains undecided, but Jefferson possesses every trait necessary to experience a successful campaign in 2022."

Jefferson has already shown he can make a dent in the stat sheet—after making just 19 catches as a rookie, he posted a 50/802/6 stat line on 89 targets in 2021. Jefferson's eight targets in Super Bowl LVI trailed only Kupp among Rams players.

Given all the single coverage Jefferson's going to see playing with Robinson and Kupp in 2022, it won't take that big a bump in target share for that 1,000-yard season Melo mentioned to become a distinct possibility.

I have never been a fan. To me he has been elevated by the coaching and team. Put him on another team and see how he does. But conversely from our prospective the better he does better for us in trade bait jmo.

 

[Malibu]

This is a good one because I really don't think he got enough mention in the Post-Season.

Every time, I watch the end of the Super Bowl (and that's a lot), there's a great example.

On the 3rd and 1 run-stop to set-up Donald's pressure/hit on Burrow on fourth down, Michaels and Collinsworth praised Aaron Donald for his one-arm-tackle of Perine short of the first down. Despite NBC having 79,000 camera angles, those idiots failed to see and comment that Greg Gaines and Donald made the same exact play. Each stood-up their blocker and, with a free hand (Donald's right and Gaines' left), in-tandem made the critical tackle.

Praised Donald; and ignored Gaines. These announcers have spotters! It's an example of why I mute the sound when I watch a Rams' game live. Tape it an then listen to the incompetent commentary after the fact.

I totally agree Gaines for me constant steady improvement and can't wait to see him this season.

 

[Malibu]

Earnest Jones will come out of this season to become the next Fred Warner-level NFL ILB. I’ll humbly eat my words if I am wrong.

I think with the addition of Wagner Jones will flourish. He was flourishing on his own just wait to he plays and learns from Wagner. The skies the limit.

 

[Merlin]

I honestly think all of our third and fourth round picks last year begin to shine. Ernest Jones is an easy pick, but people shouldn't sleep on BB3, Rochell or Jacob Harris either; I think all three of them could be very, very good.

Yeah that entire Rams class pretty much was upside so we should start feeling them this year. I hope so. Some will bust I'm sure but it would be nice if they can develop a couple starter level types from among them.

 

[Merlin]

I need to see it

You and me both. I have no idea what to expect from Tutu tbh but I do wonder if he can be an impact type for us sort of like Az was. That guy whose threat just puts you over the top. Having two top threats is great, but if they can get a couple guys stepping up big aside from those two boy are we in business.

 

[OldSchool]

The best kept secret is that the roster after the big name stars isn't as void of talent as all the so called experts say. They've criticized the Rams roster building style for years and said we were doomed. They said it wasn't sustainable and it wasn't the way to build a champion. The fact is that Snead and while he was here Brad Holmes led that department to amazing levels and have built a truly great team that they have augmented well with our free agent signing and trades. I think as many as a half dozen guys that people especially opposing fans know little about.

Gaines
Jefferson
Noteboom
BB3
Jones
Rochell

And that doesn't even count rookies both draft and udfa. Rams have a roster and the so called experts don't want to acknowledge it because of years of criticism.

 

[ozarkram]

It would be me. Yep the secret is out. I am the Rams best kept secret