Las Vegas Raiders: 3 X-factor players for Week 2 vs. Saints
By Samuel Teets
1. Clelin Ferrell, DE
The Raiders committed a hefty investment to Ferrell when they selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. At Clemson, Ferrell won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and Ted Hendricks Awards during his final season. However, the 23-year-old didn’t have a smooth transition to the NFL.
As a rookie, Ferrell started 15 games for the Raiders. Unfortunately, he only recorded 38 tackles, 4.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, and 15 pressures. In comparison, fourth-round pick Maxx Crosby amassed ten sacks, 14 quarterback hits, and 31 pressures. The Raiders finished 2019 tied for the eighth-fewest sacks in the NFL.
A forgettable rookie season isn’t the end of the world for Ferrell. Even Khalil Mack didn’t produce eye-popping sack totals in his first year. However, the Raiders need more production from Ferrell, especially against a dominant Saints team.
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Drew Brees is 41 years old. He’s not going to dodge an edge rusher in the pocket and then send a laser downfield. If the Raiders can combat New Orleans’ stellar offensive line and put pressure on Brees, who is without Thomas, there’s a chance for Las Vegas to stay in the game. Someone along the defensive front, hopefully Ferrell, must give the Raiders a boost.