2019 NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys turn the page, Raiders find pass rushers
By Randy Gurzi
17. Oakland Raiders (via Chicago Bears): Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson
We already talked about the Oakland Raiders and the criticism they received for their Khalil Mack trade. Head coach Jon Gruden may have just signed with the Raiders on a 10-year, $100 million contract last season, but that deal is going to be judged quickly thanks to his trading of Mack.
Now, they already made their defensive line better with Ed Oliver in this 2019 NFL Mock Draft, but they still need help on the edge. With the first of two picks they received from the Chicago Bears, Oakland tries to find that player with Clelin Ferrell from Clemson.
Ferrell will be entering an unfair spot here as he will forever be compared to Mack — at least partially as the 2020 first-round pick will be the other half of that comparison.
That’s not something Ferrell can live up to because Mack is one of the best in the game at what he does. This doesn’t mean Ferrell won’t be a good player, because he will.
He’s part of a star-studded Clemson line and has 20.5 sacks since 2016 under his belt. Ferrell is explosive and can get after the quarterback in a hurry. Making it easier for him to do will be lining up next to Oliver as the Oakland defensive line is re-made with these two picks.