Raiders: Has Clelin Ferrell earned a new deal in Las Vegas?
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders got strong play in the second half of the season from Clelin Ferrell, and he is a name to keep an eye on in free agency.
The lights finally went out on the Las Vegas Raiders 2022 NFL season, as they were embarrassed by the Kansas City Chiefs at home. For the Silver and Black, the 2022 campaign was like nothing we have seen in a long time, as the Raiders set the record for most games lost when leading by double-digits in the second half, and eventually the team benched Derek Carr.
The final two games were a showcase for Jarrett Stidham, who played well enough to at least show he will be the backup for the team in 2023. Like many of his teammates, Stidham is a free agency this offseason, and he will be a name that is under the microscope once the free agency period begins.
Another name will be Clelin Ferrell, the former No. 4 overall pick who had drawn the ire of the fan base since his draft day. Many in Raider Nation wanted Kentucky star edge rusher Josh Allen to be the pick at No. 4, but when Ferrell was called, shock and awe filled the fan base, and he has not played up to his top draft pick status.
Raiders may be wise to bring back Ferrell in 2023 and beyond
However, while Ferrell will never play like a No. 4 overall pick, he has proven to be a very solid player for new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. A rotational edge rusher who can also clog up the middle in run defense, the pending free agent may have a future with the organization after all.
There is not going to be a big market for him, and while it was wise to not pick up his fifth-year option, bringing him in on a new deal will likely come with a small price tag. Ferrell is not an elite edge rusher and is not considered by many as a starter, but he has a role in Graham’s defense, and the franchise may want to continue to try and grow a still very young player.
Las Vegas has 26 free agents heading into the 2023 off-season, so this roster is going to look a lot different when all is said and done. Ferrell is definitely one to keep an eye on, as he played much better down the stretch, and would be a solid depth piece for Patrick Graham moving forward.