NFL Draft 2016: Maryland football DL Quinton Jefferson drafted in 5th round, 147th overall by Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks drafted former Maryland defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday, with the 147th overall pick. Jefferson is the third Maryland player taken in this year's draft, following Sean Davis and Yannick Ngakoue.

Jefferson, a Pittsburgh native, played three full seasons for Maryland and missed almost all of a fourth after tearing his right ACL in Maryland's third game. He came to College Park as a weak-side defensive end while Maryland played with a 3-4 base defense, and he transitioned smoothly to a 4-3 tackle role in Maryland's new scheme last season.

He would have been a boon to DJ Durkin's defense in 2016, but Jefferson, a father of three, opted to turn pro with one year of eligibility left on his slate. He'll have few guarantees in the NFL, but he'll have a chance, and that's no small thing.

Jefferson's skill set is diverse. He had 6.5 of his 10.5 career sacks last season, and he can play like a defensive end or tackle from just about anywhere in a team's formation. He isn't big enough (6'4, 291 pounds) to be a credible nose tackle in a 3-4 NFL scheme, but he could play anywhere in a 4-3 and defend both the run ...

... and the pass.

He'll need to do both to be an every-down player for Seattle.