Holmes: Three Maryland Terps In Position To Succeed In NFL
While Maryland's football team went through quite the tumultuous season without much to be proud of, three of their 2015 defensive starters were selected in 2016 NFL draft. Cornerback Sean Davis (pick 58), defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (pick 69), and defensive end Quinton Jefferson (pick 147) were the three Terrapins selected on Saturday.
While they each have different outlooks going forward, one has a much better entry point than the other two.
CB Sean Davis, Pittsburgh Steelers:
"I do feel like I can do that on any level successfully," Sean Davis told me after a game in which he had a kick return last season.
This is probably the best Terp-to-Team result from Saturday based on fit, alone. The Steelers desperately needed some speed and sound technique (not to sound too Edsall about it) at the corner position. Moreover, Pittsburgh could use a solid return man after the failed Dri Archer experiment. While Davis will likely compete for a spot at nickel for the Steelers, his return skills, demonstrated last season at College Park, will prove the worth of the Steelers' pick alone, given that it will allow Tomlin to move his best player, Antonio Brown, off of most return duty unless the situation is dire. The Steelers have been searching for a dynamic, playmaking corner opposite Ike Taylor for years. With some grooming behind veterans, Davis could be that guy (as much as Maryland-natives would hate to see his game-breaking speed in black and yellow).
DE Yannick Ngakoue, Jacksonville Jaguars:
Many are throwing Jacksonville into the discussion of "best draft in 2016." While that claim is mostly due to nabbing the best-rated cornerback in Jalen Ramsey and potentially great inside linebacker Myles Jack, Ngakoue could be an unsung, yet solid addition to the Jags' defense. An honorable mention 2015 All-Big Ten selection, Yannick is a specialized pass-rusher, and he'll likely get time on third downs, etc. Yannick was seen at Maryland as a "dynamic athlete, but he hasn't reached the high-motor status we've seen from him in practice," an assistant coach told me.
DE Quinton Jefferson, Seattle Seahawks:
As opportune a situation as Sean Davis has in Pittsburgh, the climb Jefferson has in front of him is on the other end of the entry spectrum. Seattle is as deep as it gets up front, and many of the defensive linemen who came before Jefferson possess the same skill-set. Still, Jefferson was undoubtedly the leader of the Terrapins' defensive unit for a few years. Every reporter in the locker room and media rooms could decipher that. He did have 12.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks on a weak Maryland frontline in 2015, and at the very least he'll provide a professional work ethic to Seattle's camp. What's more, should he see the field much in 2016, he'll have the interior defensive help to compensate for what his teammates lacked at Maryland. Jefferson stuck by his head coaches as Maryland through even the toughest stretches under Edsall's regime. Such loyalty to coaches will surely pay off in Seattle.
Ben Holmes is a sports reporter and producer for CBS Sports Radio in Baltimore MD. He covers Maryland Terrapins Basketball and Football for Baltimore's 105.7 The Fan. You can follow Ben on twitter@HolmesOnSports.