Las Vegas Raiders: Grading defensive free agent additions
Quinton Jefferson – Defensive End/Tackle, Buffalo Bills
The Raiders continued to build up their defensive line with the addition of Quinton Jefferson to a one-year deal for $3.25 million but can be worth up to $4 million in incentives. Jefferson is a veteran defensive lineman that has been in the NFL for 5 years after being drafted in the fifth round by the Seattle Seahawks.
Jefferson spent four years with Seattle before playing one season in Buffalo and now makes his way back west to Las Vegas. A college teammate of Yannick Ngakoue at Maryland, Jefferson is a versatile defender that can play both defensive end and tackle but will line up primarily inside at tackle. He has some solid upside as a pass rusher with 10.5 sacks and 35 QB hits in 55 games.
I'm on the phone now w/ Quinton Jefferson who just signed w/t #Raiders: "It's a 1-yr prove it deal. I just really felt comfortable w/ their system & how they plan on using me. Me and Yannick (Ngakoue) went to the Univ. of MD together. I know we can do some good things together."
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 17, 2021
As Jefferson himself said, this is a one-year prove-it deal for him to show what he is worth ahead of the cap increase and as he enters the second phase of his career as a veteran player. He played well against the Raiders last season and his performance on the day that included a strip-sack of Derek Carr must have caught the eye of team brass.