When the Oakland Raiders made Clelin Ferrell the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, it left many people scratching their heads. Although Ferrell was a no doubt first-round prospect, not many had him projected to be in the top five players picked on draft night.
The Raiders must have seen something in him, however, and according to Pro Football Focus, they might be on to something.
Raiders edge defender Clelin Ferrell's 56 pressures were the 10th-most in the class pic.twitter.com/X8RcGMfN1J
— PFF (@PFF) May 9, 2019
In a tweet earlier today discussing Ferrell, Pro Football Focus found that Ferrell’s 56 pressures were 10th-most in the NFL Draft Class. Of course, that might not scream top five pick, but Ferrell’s ability to get to the quarterback and do it consistently is something the Raiders definitely must have loved when they selected him.
In four seasons at Clemson, Ferrell posted some pretty big stats, including tallying 84 tackles, 50.5 tackles for loss, and 27 sacks in just three seasons of actual play. Ferrell was also a huge key to Clemson going on their championship run last season, and many attributed his role in the locker room with what made him so coveted as a draft pick.
After trading away Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper last season, the Raiders clearly came into the 2019 Draft looking to recoup some of their losses. In Ferrell, they’re hoping to find the same ferocious pass rusher that Mack has become, as well as a new leader for their defense.
When Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock called Ferrell to tell him he’d been drafted, they specifically mentioned how Ferrell needed to be a leader, and it’s clear that the team values that right along with all of the stats.
Hopefully for the Raiders, they’re proven right in their evaluation of Ferrell, and he can become a player that helps rejuvenate a down defense.
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