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The 2021 NFL Draft has concluded for the Detroit Lions with their last selection with the pick they acquired in an earlier trade with the Cleveland Browns drafting Oregon State RB Jermar Jefferson.
The Lions running back starters are all but established with D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, and Kerryon Johnson, but outside of those three, the cupboard is bare. Now, most would think being a seventh-round pick, Jefferson doesn’t stand a chance, but he could sneak his way on the team.
Jefferson was a three-year starter at Oregon State, leading the team in rushing last year as the feature back. With his strong vision skills, he can attack the open gaps and break off long runs if he gets into space. He has shown skills on a three-down back with pass blocking and receiver skills catching 43 passes last year with only one drop in his collegiate career.
Even though he can break off the long runs, he was easy to take down after initial contact leading towards very few broken tackles. With his tendencies to go down with relative ease, his ball security becomes an issue coughing up six fumbles during college in the process. With his one cut mantra and his need for space to operate effectively, he is very scheme limited.
Likely for Jefferson, he will be going into a scheme that fits his style, which may be the reason he enamored GM Brad Holmes and HC Dan Campbell. They see the potential in the young back as a runner and pass protector along with his passion for football, which has never been the question.
For their last pick of the draft and being in the seventh round, you are taking a lottery ticket you can hope to develop into something, and Jefferson has the tools you can grow. He has home-run ability to be a mismatch problem out of the backfield, and if there is green in front of him, you can bet he will take to the house.
Thankfully, he has time to develop his contact issues with the starters cemented in giving him a chance to learn and grow and potentially find a way to make it onto the field and play mismatch football which Campbell has said he wants to do in Detroit. Jefferson is like a fine wine, uncork it too early, and it may turn out sour, but if you let it sit and age, that first sip will be glorious and well worth it at the end.
Grade: B-