Las Vegas Raiders: Early 2021 prediction for MVP, MIP, and ROY

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden shakes quarterback Derek Carr's (4) hand after a touchdown in the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford.Nyj Vs Lv
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden shakes quarterback Derek Carr's (4) hand after a touchdown in the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford.Nyj Vs Lv
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 06: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets fumbles after he is sacked by Clelin Ferrell #96 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at MetLife Stadium on December 06, 2020, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Las Vegas Raiders: Early 2021 prediction for MVP, MIP, and ROY

Most Improved Player: Clelin Ferrell, Edge

Clelin Ferrell has always been judged by his draft position, not his play on the field. Cle, who is a solid defender, especially against the run, has had a difficult time living up to his fourth overall pedigree.

In his sophomore season, Ferrell was starting to get the hang of things. He bulked up, spent time working on his pass rush, and became more of a vocal leader. In a season where the league was plagued with COVID-19 and injuries, Ferrell was no stranger to both, contracting COVID which left him on the exempt list, and when he returned in what mat have been his best game as a professional, he suffered another injury that sidelined him.

Ferrell has taken this offseason to continue to work on himself and to better his pass-rushing skills, and with added help from a proven veteran in Yannick Ngakoue, Ferrell could be poised to make leaps in Year 3. In fact, the Raiders look pretty solid along the edge in 2021, with Ferrell, Maxx Crosby, Ngakoue, and even 2021 draft pick Malcolm Koonce, and Ferrell’s improvement will be key for the Silver and Black.

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