The number one thing that comes to the forefront when talking about former Florida wide receiver Van Jefferson is his route running ability. The 23-year-old is an absolute technician, and it should help him contribute immediately upon his entrance to the league.
However, after the discussion of his route tree, the next thing scouts bring up is his potential lack of long speed. Whether it is a legitimate criticism of Jefferson remains to be seen, but Burrow’s laser precision accuracy makes the pairing between the two ideal.
Jefferson’s crisp footwork means he should have no problem creating separation in short and intermediate routes. He may, however, have trouble giving his quarterback a pocket to throw in on deep routes if his speed truly is a concern, due to the makeup speed of NFL corners. That should be no problem for Burrow, as perhaps his greatest strength is accuracy.
Jefferson posted 657 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns during his final campaign with the Gators. While that stat line isn’t eye-popping, it’s impressive considering the system he played in and the quarterback talent he had. Bringing him into an NFL offense with a quarterback of Burrow’s accuracy could unlock his potential, especially his deep game, and allow him to reach a new level.
His attention to detail in route running would allow he and Burrow to build chemistry quickly and give the young signal-caller another target he can trust.