With The First Pick
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Raiders can rebuild defense in 1st round of 2019 NFL draft

By Bryan Perez

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Quinnen Williams #92 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after sacking Jake Fromm #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs (not pictured) in the first half during the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Quinnen Williams #92 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after sacking Jake Fromm #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs (not pictured) in the first half during the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 01: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after making a tackle for a loss against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter of their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 01: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after making a tackle for a loss against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter of their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Round 1, Pick 27: Clelin Ferrell | EDGE | Clemson

The Raiders can’t end Round 1 without adding an edge rusher, and they luck out here with Ferrell at the 27th pick. Ferrell is an immediate starter and massive upgrade for Oakland’s pass rush and he brings a winning pedigree to a franchise desperately seeking leaders.

Ferrell’s production has steadily improved in each of the last three seasons. He had a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2018, bringing his career total as a Tiger to 27.

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Remember: there’s a lot of pressure on Jon Gruden to replace the production he traded away when he sent Khalil Mack to the Bears last September. And while it would be completely unfair to expect Ferrell to do that all on his own, he’d be a great first step toward bringing a reasonable pass rush back to the edge of Oakland’s defense.

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