For the most part, the Raiders’ rookie class did not perform well in Week 12 as players such as Josh Jacobs, Trayvon Mullen, and Hunter Renfrow all struggled. However, one Raider that quietly put on a nice performance was defensive end, Clelin Ferrell.
The 2019 season has been a rough one for Ferrell as fourth-round pick Maxx Crosby has out-produced him every step of the way. But on Sunday, Ferrell was one of the Raiders highest-graded defenders according to Pro Football Focus, finishing the game with an overall grade of 71.4:
It may have taken the better part of a season, but Clelin Ferrell finally delivered a highly graded game. He played 50 total snaps against the Jets in Week 12 — 26 in run defense, 23 in the pass-rush and one in coverage — and he recorded a quarterback hurry and two defensive stops against the run en route to a career-high single-game grade of 71.4. It wasn’t all good, however, as he also missed a tackle, meaning that he’s missed at least one tackle in seven of his 10 games as a pro.
While Ferrell still hasn’t lived up to his No. 4 pick status, he has been significantly better in the second half of the season. The Raiders continue to be patient with him because they know what his ceiling could be as a player. And it’s exciting to see him slowly start putting it all together.
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