1. Jefferson's style will fit DC Leslie Frazier's scheme
Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is known for presenting a variety of different fronts to throw off opposing offenses. He pulls this off by relying on versatile defensive linemen. Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson believes he will excel in a defense led by Frazier. Jefferson admitted one of the reasons why he was attracted to Buffalo was because he knew he would have several opportunities to make an impact on the game at multiple positions and schemes.
"I think it keeps a lot of guys fresh, it keeps you out to your best ball," Jefferson said. "From playing in Seattle, sometimes we might go into a game and you're gonna play quite a bit. Sometimes that can be overwhelming on your body and just the beating you take for over 16, 17 weeks. Anytime you come to a situation where you got a bunch of guys that can just keep it rolling, keep you fresh, I feel like it's good for all of us. We're all gonna eat. We're all going to be productive playing at a high level."
Jefferson will most likely play defensive tackle for the Bills, but he will rotate in at defensive end. The ability to rotate inside and out will allow Frazier the ability to plug and play Jefferson in order to win one-on-one matchups. With Jordan Phillips and Shaq Lawson not on Buffalo's roster, Jefferson will add to the tackle and edge position with the experience he brings to the group.
"It's one of the things literally almost since high school, I just literally play every position," Jefferson explained. "People ask what I play on the d-line and I just say d-line. I take pride in trying to learn the whole defense, the whole front. Coming in as a young guy, especially in Seattle, my first year we had so many guys."
2. Winning pressure
The 6-4, 291-pound defensive lineman is known for his pressure on the line. According to Next Gen Stats, Jefferson led the Seahawks in quarterback pressure rate among interior defensive linemen in the last two seasons. In 2018, he pressured at a rate of 8.5% and in 2019, a pressure rate of 9.6%. If you ask Jefferson, he loves delivering that pressure from the inside.
"I love playing the three-technique," Jefferson explained. "Especially in rush situations, I'm an inside guy. You turn on tape, every third down I'm inside playing a three or a nose. I feel like that's where I'm most comfortable rushing. If you're talking about playing the run, I feel like I can play the run at any position. I play the six, five, three, nose. I guess first or second down I like playing in--setting the edge, having to double team."
Per PFF, Jefferson had 39 pressures on the quarterback in 401 pass rush snaps in 2019. That number was more than Jordan Phillips had in the last two seasons which was 38 pressures in 548 pass rush snaps. In the last two seasons, Jefferson has 6.5 sacks, 61 total tackles, nine tackles for loss and 25 quarterback hits.
3. Jefferson joins former college teammate Stefon Diggs
While Quinton Jefferson isn't a defensive lineman joining a slew of old teammates that all played for the Carolina Panthers, Jefferson is reuniting with an old teammate from college in Stefon Diggs. The two played at Maryland together. Jefferson was on the team from 2012 to 2015 and Diggs was a part of the Terps from 2012 to 2014. Jefferson is looking forward to being back with someone who has the 'it' factor.
"Just from playing with him at Maryland he's a real passionate guy," Jefferson said. "He works his tail off. I don't know if you've ever been around a person that they just have that aura around them, you can't put your finger on it, it's just that 'it' factor. That's Stef, he just makes plays and other than that he's just a good dude, a good teammate, a good guy off-the-field. I can't wait to join him in Buffalo and get back around on him."
At Maryland, Jefferson racked up 10.5 sacks, 21.5 TFLs, three forced fumbles, one interception and 107 total tackles.
