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Jefferson led all Commanders pass-catchers in targets and receiving yards, and hauled in the team’s lone passing touchdown of the day in Sunday’s defeat. With several receivers out for the Commanders in this one, Jefferson ran a season-high 25 routes and saw three targets on Washington’s first two offensive drives. Jefferson caught a seven-yard reception early in the second quarter to put the Commanders up 10-3, and caught a 21-yard pass in the fourth quarter as the Commanders were trying to mount a comeback. Jefferson had the kind of game fantasy managers hoped to see from Antonio Williams and/or Stefon Diggs and could see a similar role again on Thursday against the Giants if Treylon Burks (foot) remains sidelined. Despite the strong performance, don’t recommend chasing these points entering Week 10.
Jefferson spent all offseason with the Commanders but found himself on the outside looking in when camp cuts came around. The 30-year-old receiver caught 29 passes for 350 yards and one touchdown last season with the Titans and has bounced around the league over the last four seasons. He could be an injury away from being promoted to the 53-man roster, but we wouldn’t expect him to offer much fantasy production even if he is active on game day.
Jefferson was in the running for a rotational role this summer, but a handful of younger players ultimately passed him on the depth chart. Treylon Burks appears to be the team’s WR3 for Week 1 while Jaylin Lane, Luke McCaffrey, and Antonio Williams are all vying for the WR4 gig.
Jefferson caught 29-of-51 targets for 350 yards and one touchdown last season. Somehow, his 59.6 percent catch rate is only the third-worst of his career. Jefferson is likely due for a backup role, perhaps as a field stretcher. He should not be a target in fantasy drafts.
Jefferson finishes the 2025 season with a 29/350/1 line — this is the standard, as Jefferson has finished between 209 yards and 369 yards in five of his six NFL seasons. The sacrificial X will be a free agent this offseason and tuns 30 in July. Zero fantasy upside, but he could find a real role again in 2026.
Jefferson hasn’t caught more than three passes in a game since Week 7 but still runs plenty of routes every week. With nothing left to play for in week 18, the Titans could give him the week off. His absence would free up a few extra looks for Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike.
He got in two limited sessions and is probably on the optimistic side of questionable. Playing Jefferson in fantasy football during Week 16 feels like a punishment you would get for finishing in last in a league, but we can’t legally stop you from doing it.
It’s an upgrade from a Wednesday DNP. We doubt you’re seriously considering starting Van Jefferson in Week 16, but hey, there are sickos out there. He looks to be on track to play on Sunday.
Jefferson hasn’t been a fantasy option this year, but he has soaked up targets for a struggling Tennessee offense. Jefferson was targeted five times in Week 15, one of which should have been a long touchdown, but Cam Ward overthrew Jefferson. His absence would free up a few more looks for rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike.
Jefferson was second on the Titans in receiving yards and did it all on one catch. He was also second on the team with five targets and would have had a 40-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter if Cam Ward, who was pressured on the play, hadn’t sailed the pass over his head. The Titans have talked about getting Jefferson more involved, and he’s the clear deep threat in this offense, so perhaps he will luck into some garbage time production over the final weeks. However, he did leave the game in the fourth quarter with a lower back injury after making an impressive leaping catch and landing directly on his back. Keep an eye on his practice reports.
In Jefferson’s favor: The Titans lost Calvin Ridley and Chimere Dike to injuries that could threaten their Week 12 status. Jefferson also played 54 of 59 snaps. Not in Jefferson’s favor: He’s literally Van Jefferson, and these are literally the Titans. His major role in this offense has created 90 yards in the last four games and this is his first touchdown. A desperation FLEX play against the Seahawks is about all we can muster on this one.
Veteran journeyman Jefferson now has back-to-back 4/40 efforts, but we doubt that is his floor, while it could ultimately prove to not even be his ceiling. This rebuilding, coach-swapping team is trying to figure out what it has in a host of young players, and Jefferson is mostly out there as a routes shock absorber who can provide a big target when needed. He’s fine to leave on the wire in 12-team leagues.
Jefferson remains limited through two practices, which puts him on track to play. The journeyman wide receiver earned six targets last week, trailing only TE Chig Okonkwo (seven). Jefferson can only be viewed as a dart-throw FLEX option, though, given his streaky play and difficult matchup against the Patriots, if active.
Jefferson emerged as the Titans’ top pass catcher after Calvin Ridley left the game in the first half with a hamstring injury. Jefferson was targeted on a meager 17 percent of his pass routes but made the most of the opportunity. His 23-yard catch in the third quarter was the Titans’ longest play of the day in another muted offensive performance. Jefferson could be somewhat interesting in 14-team leagues if Ridley is sidelined for the team’s Week 7 against the Patriots.
Jefferson is seldom-used in the Titans’ passing game, getting just 12 snaps in Week 5. He did not practice Wednesday with an ankle injury. If Jefferson misses time, it could lead to increased snaps for Chimere Dike and Tyler Lockett, though no Titans receiver outside of Calvin Ridley or Elic Ayomanor should be considered for fantasy purposes.
Jefferson will join his fourth NFL team after logging 24 grabs for 277 yards and two touchdowns over 17 games with the Steelers in 2024. Jefferson is now four years removed from his 800-yard campaign with the Rams, the last time he was relevant in fantasy football. He has a real chance to see significant snaps in a Tennessee offense devoid of wideout talent. Over the past two seasons, Jefferson ranks 220th out of 225 qualifying receivers in ESPN’s open score, which measures a pass catcher’s separation ability.
Jefferson followed Arthur Smith from Atlanta to Pittsburgh when the former header coach got a job as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator. While he ran plenty of routes, Jefferson rarely contributed much to the box score. He topped 30 yards in a game three times during the regular season. Jefferson ended the season with 24 grabs for 276 yards and two scores. Many years removed from fantasy relevancy, Jefferson will be looking for a one-year deal as a depth option in free agency.
Amazingly, those three catches were the most of any Pittsburgh wideout during Saturday’s loss. Jefferson has been a fantasy non-factor for the overwhelming majority of his career outside of a strong sophomore campaign, and there’s not really a reason to believe that’s going to change anytime soon/ever.
Jefferson managed just two first half catches in a game played without alpha wide receiver George Pickens. Ben Skowronek also left early with an injury, leaving Jefferson, Calvin Austin, and Mike Williams to serve as the top pass-catchers against the pass-funnel nature of the Baltimore defense. It appears likely that Pickens returns to the active roster with a long week before Week 17, which could open up the offense against another tough opponent in the Chiefs.
Jefferson was tied for fifth on the team in targets, so it’s not a huge box score; however, he saw his playing time tick up in the second half after Calvin Austin left the game with a concussion. If Austin were to miss next week’s game against the Browns, Jefferson could see enough time on the field to be worth a look in deeper formats.
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