The Las Vegas Raiders made headlines when they opted to take Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell with the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
The Raiders’ decision took many by surprise considering the pool of notable prospects that were still available at the time. Head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock were anxious to prove that they had made the right choice.
Unfortunately, Ferrell largely struggled to fit the billing as an early first-round pick during his rookie campaign. Regardless, it seems Las Vegas still has high hopes for his progression leading up to the 2020 NFL season.
Mayock feels the team is responsible for Ferrell’s shortcomings last year and is confident that the arrival of new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli will pay huge for his development, via the team’s website:
“We’ve got to do a better job with him. We asked him to kick inside early, I think that slowed him down. He got sick, I think that slowed him down,” Mayock said. “I’d like to keep him in one place and continue to work with who he is as a pass-rusher. Rod Marinelli’s going to demand some things, he’s going to get him up on the line of scrimmage. I think you’re going to see better footwork and handwork. He already works his tail off, he’s a perfectionist, and he wants to be taught. Sometimes, he’s thinking too much. So we want to get him to the point where everything is just a reaction and he’s going. I think once we get that with his length, size, and athletic ability, he’ll be fine.”
Ferrell fell short of expectations after finishing the 2019 NFL season with 38 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and five pass deflections. His underwhelming performance was magnified by the fact that defensive end Maxx Crosby was able to establish himself as one of the most promising rookies after being taken in the fourth round.
Although the Raiders are happy to now have a surplus of talent at such a key position, it is clear that they have made Ferrell’s development a priority this offseason. The onus will ultimately fall on Marinelli to help tap into the potential that convinced Mayock and Gruden to take him with the first of their three choices in the first round of last year’s draft.
Fortunately, there is good reason for Las Vegas to be optimistic as Ferrell is in good hands given Marinelli’s extensive track record in working with premium pass-rushers.
