The long wait is over for Jesse Williams. The Bayside Ravens product was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the NFL Draft early this morning, more than 100 picks later than expert predictions.

The Brisbane born-and-raised nose tackle should be guaranteed a signing bonus of more than $200,000, and offered a $2 million contract by the Seahawks as the 137th selection of the draft - $5 million less than he would have received as a late first-round pick.

There was speculation Jesse Williams, from Brisbane, would be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, but 32 other players had their names called out. Credit:Marissa Calligeros

It is believed a knee injury affected Williams's draft stock, making potential suitors cautious about selecting the 22-year-old Queenslander, who had been touted as a 25th overall selection.

Williams had knee surgery (knee scope) following his Alabama team's demolishing of Notre Dame in January's national championship game, and he was unable to run at the NFL Combine.