Grading the Oakland Raiders 2019 draft class after year one
Clelin Ferrell
Grade: C
Big expectations were thrown on the shoulders of Clelin Ferrell right out of the gates. Given that he was drafted as the Khalil Mack replacement, his rookie season was going to be one that was followed very closely.
Ferrell took awhile to get going as he recorded just one sack over the first nine weeks of football, but eventually turned the corner and showed some promise. Critics took notice to his sluggish start to the year, but John Gruden backed his efforts time and time again, stating several times in press conferences that he’s asked Ferrell to play two different positions and that he’s not worried about Ferrell’s stat sheet.
Eventually the production started to trickle in as the season progressed and the outlook on Ferrell began to look much better than what many expected after a few weeks of play. Overall, Ferrell finished the year with a decent season, but after being selected inside the top five, expectations will remain sky-high entering year two.