After over 250 names being called, the Detroit Lions have finally put the wraps on general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell’s first draft together at the helm. They had to wait until nearly the very end to complete their selections.
The Lions selected running back Jermar Jefferson out of Oregon State with the third-to-last pick of the 2021 draft. The five-foot-ten, 206-pounder racked up nearly 3,000 yards on the ground and 29 total touchdowns in three seasons with the Beavers.
Jefferson was also the Pac-12 freshman of the year in 2018 before battling through an ankle injury in 2019 that limited him to nine games. He bounced back last year, picking up 858 yards on just 133 rushing attempts.
The Lions now have a crowded running back room, with D’Andre Swift, free-agent signee Jamaal Williams, and veteran Kerryon Johnson currently on the roster. As such, Jefferson will have his work cut out for him to earn a spot on the Lions’ Week 1 roster.
The pick was acquired by the Lions earlier on Saturday in a trade with the Cleveland Browns. The Lions also acquired pick No. 113 in the deal which they used to select Purdue linebacker Derrick Barnes one spot after they took USC receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Pick No. 257 ranks as the latest draft pick for the Lions since they selected Memphis receiver Travis Anglin 260th overall in 2003. He never played in the NFL.
Here is a recap of the Lions’ draft selections:
Round 1 / No. 7 – Penei Sewell, OT (Oregon)
Round 2 / No. 41 – Levi Onwuzurike, DT (Washington)
Round 3 / No. 72 – Alim McNeill, DT (NC State)
Round 3 / No. 101 – Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB (Syracuse)
Round 4 / No. 112 – Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR (USC)
Round 4 / No. 113 – Derrick Barnes, LB (Purdue)
Round 7 / No. 257 – Jermar Jefferson, RB (Oregon State)