Jermar Jefferson doesn't really get it. What more could he do? He ran for over 100 yards in five of Oregon State's six games last season, including 226 and two touchdowns in a top-10 win against Oregon. He was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year. The other three Power 5 Offensive Player of the Year winners in this year's draft were gone in the first 13 picks Thursday night.
"I thought I was going to get drafted in the third or fourth round," Jefferson said.
His name wasn't called until the third to last pick on Saturday, 257th overall by the Lions.
"That’s what I don’t understand," Jefferson said. "But I’m glad that the Detroit Lions gave me an opportunity because I felt like there was nothing else I could do out there. I showed my long speed this past year, I showed vision, catching the ball out of the backfield. I don’t know what teams were missing or what I didn’t have, but I felt like I was the best running back in the Pac-12."
That's not how the Giants felt. They took Arizona's Gary Brightwell No. 196. That's not how the Browns felt. They took UCLA's Demetric Felton No. 211. The Lions? They felt Jefferson's value was too good to pass up at No. 257, even if they weren't hurting for another running back.
"I didn’t really think he would still be on the board, so we were very, very happy about him," said GM Brad Holmes.
As happy as Jefferson was to be drafted by the Lions -- "I was just grateful for any team that picked me," he said -- he admitted to frustration as the rounds wore on. Frustration that will make him run angry in Detroit.
“Oh, really angry," he said. "I’ve been in this position before. All my life I’ve been underrated. Wasn’t recruited by any good high schools or anything, went to a low-tier college, (drafted) in the seventh round. But hey, I’m going to show the world. I’m going to shock the world. Just know the Detroit Lions are getting everything out of me."
Jefferson paused and shook his head, as if he couldn't stress this enough.
"Everything," he repeated.
Snaps won't be easy to find in a backfield that features D'Andre Swift and free agent acquisition Jamaal Williams, not to mention Kerryon Johnson. Making Detroit's 53-man roster will be step one for Jefferson. Assuming he does, he has the build to leave a dent in defenses. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry and 143 yards per game last season, the latter mark the fourth best in the country.
NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein compares Jefferson to former Pro Bowler Jordan Howard with "a wrecking ball running style that wears down defenses." Jefferson, 5'10, 205 lbs., describes himself as a "balanced back" who "can do it all."
"I can get fourth-and-one, I can get the first down when my name is called, or when we’re real backed up on the 10 (yard line), I can take it 90 or take it 100," he said. "I feel like I’m more of a balanced back, I can do both. I got vision and I can catch the ball out of the backfield. I feel like I can do it all."
He did it all at Oregon State, including a couple kick returns last season. He did it all and still nearly went undrafted. That's a good thing for the Lions, who are getting a talented player with a point to prove.
"He’s just a very smooth, slippery, instinctive runner who we’re really excited about," said Holmes.