2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Van Jefferson

Big Board ranking: #94

Positional ranking: #20

 

Overview

Position: WR

College: Florida

Class: Senior (RS)

Age: 23

 

Measurables

Height: 6’1 1/2″

Weight: 200 lbs.

Arm length: 32 3/4″

Hand size: 9 1/8”

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: N/A

Vertical jump: N/A

Broad jump: N/A

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Excellent overall route runner. Technically sound. Great footwork. Very crisp/clean in and out of breaks. Crafty in terms of both movement and timing. Will run complex routes. Superb releases. Creates separation underneath. Wins inside to get open on slants. Intelligent and finds holes in coverage. Has a feel for timing on back-shoulder balls. Good hands. Tough going over the middle. Works back to the ball. Can go to the ground to make a catch. Doesn’t hesitate to run with physicality and pick up extra yards. Has experience running routes from all over. Quality run blocker. Played great against top competition (tremendous versus LSU last season).

 

Weaknesses

Lacks top-end explosiveness and athleticism. Vertical speed is just average. Prone to focus drops. NFL cornerbacks may be wise to his unique routes.

 

NFL comparison

Mohamed Sanu

 

Conclusion

Overall, Jefferson is an advanced route runner with the toughness and intelligence to thrive as a versatile slot receiver at the next level. He should hear his name called in the third round and may prove to be a great value if he ends up with a team like the Patriots.