Las Vegas Raiders: Grading every draft pick of the Jon Gruden era
By Nick Ellis
Raiders 2019 Draft, Round 1
Round 1 Pick 4- Clelin Ferrell- DE
- Next five picks- Devin White, Daniel Jones, Josh Allen (DE), TJ Hockenson, Ed Oliver
The Raiders shocked the world early in the 2019 draft, selecting Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell with the fourth overall pick of the draft. Ferrell was a projected first-round pick, but was projected to go around pick twenty or even higher.
Ferrell has not been bad by any means, likely being the most underrated player on the Raiders roster, but he has not produced nearly enough for where he was selected in the draft. In two seasons, Ferrell has recorded just 6.5 sacks, which isn’t close to enough for where he was selected.
The Raiders’ defense is no doubt better when Ferrell is on the team, as he does create a pass rush, play the run well, and creates opportunities for other players on the line. Overall as a player, Ferrell is an average player that I am happy to have, but at the same time, the Raiders reached for Ferrell and decided to pass on players like Devin White and Josh Allen.
This is a pick that could haunt the Raiders for a long time if Ferrell does not become elite.
Pick Grade: D+
Round 1 Pick 24- Josh Jacobs- RB
- Next two picks- Marquise Brown, Montez Sweat
The Raiders decided to use their second pick in the first round on Alabama running back Josh Jacobs, a player who quickly became a fan favorite and made an immediate impact. Although Jacobs regressed a bit from his rookie year, he is still a top eight back in the NFL and is a big piece of the Raiders offense.
I believe Jacobs was the best back in this class, and the Raiders did need a running back badly, but at the same time, is it worth it to take a running back this early in the draft when there are other needs for the team? This is something that will be debated for some time between Raiders fans, but you cannot argue that Jacobs makes the Raiders’ offense better, something that a lot of their other picks cannot say.
Pick Grade: B
Round 1 Pick 27- Johnathan Abram- S
- Next five picks- Jerry Tillery, LJ Collier, Deandre Baker, Kaleb McGary, NKeal Harry
I still have not made up my mind on safety Johnathan Abram, as he brings an intensity to the defense that nobody else can, but his aggressiveness does get him out of position way too often. I believe Abram can be molded into one of the best safeties in the league and I am excited to see what he can do with Gus Bradley.
Although I believe this will turn out to be a great pick, the one season we have seen from Abram was not great, as he has cost the Raiders time and time again by leaving his zone, missing tackles, or getting penalties. The next few picks taken after Abram do not make me regret this pick as bad as some others.
Pick Grade: C+