The Steelers signed free agent wide receiver Van Jefferson to a one-year contract.
At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds Jefferson is a good-sized receiver with deep speed. The 2020 second-round pick of the Rams ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at his pro day at Florida.
That deep speed has shown up in the NFL. Jefferson has averaged 14.2 yards per reception over the course of his four seasons in the NFL on 113 receptions.
The son of former NFL wide receiver and coach Shawn Jefferson, he comes to the Steelers after being traded at the midseason deadline to Atlanta, where current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was head coach.
All told, Jefferson, 27, had 20 receptions for 209 yards in 2023. His best season came in 2021 for the Rams when he caught 50 passes for 802 yards and six touchdowns.
Steelers sign WR Van Jefferson on a one-year contract
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) can't make the catch against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (22) during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) catches a pass during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) can't make the catch against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) after a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) reaches to make a catch during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) lines up during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) catches a pass and runs against the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. Seahawks won 27-23. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson makes a catch in the end zone for a touchdown as Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb defends during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) warms up on the field before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) runs a route while defended by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen (27) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) runs down the field during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023 in Seattle. The Rams won 30-13. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) runs after the catch during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 in Glendale, Ariz. The Rams won 30-23. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Despite his deep speed, Jefferson has spent time playing both outside and in the slot, including a 50-50 split on those alignments in 2023.
For his career, however, his alignments have tended to lean heavier to him playing outside the numbers by a 2-to-1 margin.
He didn't offer much in terms of run-after-the-catch in his first two NFL seasons, but had nearly 40 percent of his 554 receiving yards in 2022 come after the catch. So, there is some capability there.
Jefferson also is considered an above-average blocker in the run game.
• Dale Lolley is co-host of "SNR Drive" on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast
Ideally, Jefferson gives the Steelers a player capable of lining up opposite No. 1 receiver George Pickens who can take the top off the defense down the sideline if the coverage rolls toward Pickens.
Jefferson also can be leaned on by the Steelers' other receivers to help learn the nuances of Smith's offense.
His addition gives the Steelers five receivers on their roster with significant NFL experience along with Pickens, Calvin Austin, Marquez Callaway and Denzel Mims.
