The Oakland Raiders announced on Tuesday that they have signed No. 4 overall pick Caelin Ferrell and second-rounder Trayvon Mullen to their rookie contracts. Both players were drafted by the Raiders out of Clemson, where they won two college football championships.
Ferrell put up an astounding 27 sacks in his four-year career at Clemson, while Mullen four interceptions and seven passes defensed in three seasons.
After signing his first NFL contract, Ferrel expressed his excitment to officially be a member of the organization, via the Raiders Twitter account:
Part of the family.@cle_missile's message to #RaiderNation after signing his rookie contract. pic.twitter.com/83TNf1vhv2
— Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) June 18, 2019
Ferrell has his fair share of criticism after being taken with the fourth pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Many felt that he was too inconsistent throughout his collegiate career to be taken at the fourth pick. However, the Raiders have long been in need of defensive prowess and Ferrell can bring elite skills to the team.
His skills have never been in doubt as he was awarded the Ted Hendricks Award, which is given to the top defensive end in the country, at the conclusion of his final season at Clemson. Additionally, Ferrell was named as a consensus All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. 2
Adding a star defensive player is something that the Raiders have needed for quite some time. Ferrell very well may be that player. Raiders general manager Mike Mayock recently shared that Ferrell was taken No. 4 overall thanks to his skills and leadership. He acknowledged that there may have been bigger names available at that spot, but the former Clemson defensive end was the right fit for the team.
Like Ferrell, Mullen could get an opportunity to start right away for a Raiders defense that really struggled against the pass a season ago. He and Gareon Conley could end up forming one of the better young corner duos in the league if they reach the potential that the organization believes they can.
