Oakland Raiders have Rookie of the Year candidates on both sides of the ball
By Brad Weiss
The Oakland Raiders held three first round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, and that could lead to multiple Rookie of the Year honors this season.
The Oakland Raiders went into the 2019 NFL Draft with three first round picks, and many believed that they would move at least one of them to either move up in round one, or get some more Day two picks. Well, the team actually stayed where they were, selecting three players who could have a major impact in Year No. 1.
The Raiders first pick came at No. 4, where they selected Clemson edge rusher Clelin Ferrell, who is a perfect fit on Paul Guenther’s defense. Coming to the Silver and Black after two national titles at Clemson, Ferrell is going to be the focal point of the Raiders pass rush, and could be in for a monster season as a rookie.
At pick No. 24, the one they got in the Khalil Mack trade, the Raiders decided to bring in a franchise running back in Josh Jacobs. At Alabama, Jacobs showed that he can be an absolute menace running, and catching the ball, and Jon Gruden has been waiting for that three-down, feature back since coming back to the Raiders.
When you look at these two players, there is no reason to believe they will not be in the running for the Rookie of the Year honor in 2019. Both players are going to get a ton of playing time, and both have the kind of talent that can change the look of their specific position group.
Oakland had a third first round pick, and spent it on Johnathan Abram, who also will have a big impact in Year one. Last season, Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James brought home the Rookie of the Year award, and it is possible that Abram will turn heads thanks to his punishing hits, and overall football IQ.
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It would be incredibly rare for a team to sweep the Rookie of the Year awards, but the Raiders did have nearly ten percent of the first round picks in 2019. Ferrell and Jacobs are special players who fit the Raiders schemes perfectly, and you can be sure they will be given every opportunity to dominate this season.