Oakland Raiders 2019 draft pick season predictions: Clelin Ferrell
By Nick Ellis
Looking at the schedule
Outside of the division, the Raiders play five other teams who all rank in the top half of the league in terms of sacks allowed, meaning eleven of the sixteen teams that Oakland plays ranks in the top half of the league in pass protection.
Luckily for Ferrell, he will have a chance to make his name known in multiple games, as the Raiders play the Texans, Jaguars, and Packers in 2019, three of the bottom four teams in terms of sacks allowed in the entire NFL last season.
Ferrell will be tested early in the season, as the Raiders will face off against the Broncos, Chiefs, Vikings, Colts, and Bears in the first five weeks of the season. Although Ferrell may struggle against these teams, it will be good to face some of the best offensive lines in football early so he can feel the difference between the NFL and college.
After the first five weeks, Ferrell will have a good chance to put some numbers up, as the Raiders play the Bears and Packers back to back. If Ferrell can get to Deshaun Watson and Aaron Rodgers, it will be a real confidence booster. These are two tough games for the Raiders against two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, so having a good pass rush and taking advantage of the poor offensive line play of these teams will be important to win these games.
After those two games, the skill level of the offensive lines the Raiders will face is scattered, as the Lions, Titans, and Jaguars are the best bet for Ferrell to make his biggest impact. Ferrell should have caught his stride about half way through the season, to the point where we can hopefully expect him to make an impact no matter who he is lined up against.