Clelin Ferrell reminds us a lot of a player selected in the top five in 2018. Will Ferell become the next great NFL pass rusher or will be wondering whatever happened to him?
Player Name: Clelin Ferrell
Player School: Clemson
Position: Defensive End
Projected Draft Position: First Round
In a draft full of big-name defensive lineman, Clelin Ferrell is one that is being overlooked. Ferrell helped Clemson win their second national championship in three years by getting into the backfield rushing the passer and shutting down the rushing game. The question with Ferell is will he be a superstar in the NFL like some of the other players in this draft or go down as another average pass rusher.
Sam Brief of Sports Illustrated believes Ferrell will significantly improve whichever defense he joins saying “He can play with no hands, one hand or two hands in the ground, making him a solid fit in a 4–3 or 3–4 scheme.” However, like any prospect Brief knows Ferrell isn’t perfect. “He sometimes stands a bit too tall in his pursuit.”
Ferrell also looks to lack the speed and strength that Nick Bosa and Josh Allen have. Ferrell is going to need to stand out at the NFL combine in order to crack the top 10 in this year’s NFL Draft. Pass rushers Nick Bosa and Josh Allen are both projected to be the first pair of pass rushers selected and they are expected to go within the first 10 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft. Clelin Ferrell will try to be the 3rd pass rusher off the board and could end up in the top 10 as well.
However, Ferrell will have a chance to prove he is as good if not better than Allen and Bosa and if that’s the case, Ferrell may just be a top 10 selection. He also can fit into any defensive scheme as Brief pointed out which can’t be said about the other pass rushers available.