Raiders’ Clelin Ferrell: ‘Let’s get back to Super Bowls’

Clelin Ferrell had a specific message to Oakland Raiders fans after signing his first NFL contract.

The Oakland Raiders had a clear plan during the 2019 NFL draft. General manager Mike Mayock targeted high-character players from high-profile and winning college programs in an effort to rebuild the culture in the Raiders locker room.

The first of their three first-round picks was the most controversial selection of Mayock’s draft haul when he chose Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell fourth overall. Ferrell was widely regarded as a first-round prospect, but there were few if any draft analysts who expected he’d be a top-five pick.

But it’s players like Ferrell who become building blocks on a championship roster, and he gave a glimpse of that little something extra he offers Raiders Nation when he put pen to paper on his rookie contract.

This is the kind of message that will resonate with Raiders fans who’ve been craving a return to the NFL’s upper class for many, many years. Since 2003, Oakland has just one season above .500. They’ve won only 10 games over the last two seasons combined.

So, yeah, when Ferrell talks about building something special and getting back to Super Bowls? Fans will eat it up.

Ferrell ended his Clemson career as one of the main forces behind the Tigers’ rise to college football royalty. Over three seasons of legitimate action, Ferrell totaled 27 sacks and 50.5 tackles for loss. He was as consistent of a player as there was in the country, even if his style of play was boring at times.

Ferrell is expected to start immediately for the Raiders. in fact, he’ll be their primary pass rusher from Day 1 of his career. It’s a lot of pressure for a rookie to shoulder, but if anyone in this year’s draft class is capable of thriving in those kinds of circumstances, it’s Ferrell.