Loser: DE Clelin Ferrell
Clelin Ferrell had a decent Week 1 performance being strong against the run game but still didn’t exhibit much as a pass rusher. Week 2 was the same type of performance, with Ferrell disappearing too much rushing the passer and not displaying why he was a top-five pick in the draft.
Ferrell didn’t even make the stat sheet this week, and the pressure continues to grow on him to perform where he was drafted. He is getting thoroughly outplayed by third-year defensive end Arden Key who had his best performance of his career with six pressures, according to nextgenstats.com.
The Raiders need their first-round pick defensive end to make a more significant impact on football games. Now, Ferrell is putting out the production of backup or a replacement player instead of a dynamic first-round pick. The front office and coaching staff might have a tough decision soon with their high draft pick not performing at a high level.
Loser: FS Erik Harris
Erik Harris is coming off an up and down week where he gave up a massive play to the Panthers late in the game. Monday night was not the best performance either from the Raiders veteran. He continues to give up big plays and looks like a shell of himself from last season.
Harris’s biggest blunder is when he missed the wide-open tackle on Saints receiver Trequan Smith. This was not the only tackle Harris missed while looking slow to read and react throughout the football game. If you can’t handle the system and keys after three years of coaching, why are you still out on the field?
The Raiders for sure need an upgrade at the safety position. Whether they decide during the season or in the next draft, it is for a high need for this defense to take it to the next level. Harris is a hardworking player, but some players just don’t cut it no matter what.
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