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Las Vegas Raiders: 2019 class still has a chance to be elite

By Connor Kurpat

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 22: Strong safety Johnathan Abram #24 of the Las Vegas Raiders is filmed as he dances to the in-house music during warmups before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 35-31. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 22: Strong safety Johnathan Abram #24 of the Las Vegas Raiders is filmed as he dances to the in-house music during warmups before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 35-31. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 11: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball past Clelin Ferrell #96 of the Las Vegas Raiders on his way to a first-quarter touchdown at Arrowhead Stadium on October 11, 2020, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 11: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball past Clelin Ferrell #96 of the Las Vegas Raiders on his way to a first-quarter touchdown at Arrowhead Stadium on October 11, 2020, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: 2019 class still has a chance to be elite

Clelin Ferrell

Let’s start with the most controversial pick from this draft class. At Clemson, Ferrell had a great career, as he played in 44 games where he earned 27 total sacks, five forced fumbles, five passes defended, and a touchdown.

These stats earned Ferrell three separate awards in 2018: the Ted Hendricks Award, a Consensus All-American award, and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award. He also won a National Championship with Clemson in 2016 and 2018.

With Las Vegas, this level of production wasn’t able to carry over. In his two years with the team, Ferrell has only started in 26 games, and he has struggled to apply pressure to the quarterback. Because of these struggles, Ferrell will likely lose his starting job to Las Vegas’ new pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue.

Ferrell’s changed role doesn’t mean that he can’t be a difference-maker for the team. New defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will likely play Ferrell to his strength, which is stopping the run.

Look for Ferrell to play inside, or to be rotated in at defensive end when the opponent’s outside run game needs to be slowed down. If Ferrell gets used in this way, he can have a much more impactful season this year.

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