Steelers scouting profile: Jermar Jefferson is a wasted pick

Jefferson’s Projection

While I do believe Jefferson will carve out a role in the league, I doubt it will be as a conventional starting running back due to his limitations. At the end of the day, he seems like a depth guy more than anything. His best fit would be in a committee backfield and one where there is a set starter and pass-catching option. Here, he could rotate in and see the field for 3-5 runs a game to rest the usual starter. He doesn’t scream starter to me though.

To emphasize this point as well, his forty time isn’t the reason I’m doubting his role. Williams ran an identical time, and like Jefferson, his tape showed a lack of true long speed. Williams makes up for it though with great agility and by being nearly impossible to bring down in space. He is great in space which helps turn runs that look like lost causes into decent gains. Jefferson’s tape was lacking in this area.

While the Steelers showed interest in him, he isn’t a name I would touch until the sixth round or later. He doesn’t offer the Steelers anything that they don’t already have. Benny Snell is a better power back, Anthony McFarland Jr. is a better change of pace option, and, dare I say it, Jaylen Samuels is a better pass-catching back (albeit just barely). If the Steelers had a true starter, Jefferson would make sense late as a serviceable backup. The team needs a starter though, making it hard for me to imagine the team going with him in the 2021 draft.