5 bold predictions for Raiders in 2019

2. Arden Key will outperform Clelin Ferrell

The Raiders defense finished last in the NFL in sacks by a wide margin in 2018. Predictably, they spent their highest draft pick on an edge rusher. Clein Ferrell wasn’t the highest-rated defensive end of many people’s draft boards, but the Raiders front office clearly loved him.

The former Clemson star will be expected to serve as Oakland’s pass rushing focal point this season. He has what it takes to be an above average player in his rookie season. Ferrell isn’t the flashiest guy around, but he plays with really good balance and technique. In other words, he has a really high floor as a starter.

Last year’s third round pick, Arden Key, is a much different player. He struggled mightily last season and only finished the year with a single sack. Key, perhaps more than anyone else on the Raiders roster, struggled to find his feet without quality players around him. He was overwhelmed at times when opponents exercised the luxury to engulf him with double teams.

This season, Ferrell is going to get all of the attention from opposing offensive coordinators. Key will be the forgotten man. That’s why he will be the more productive player in 2019. That doesn’t necessarily mean that Key is better than Ferrell, although he might be. What it does mean is that Key is going to have a breakout campaign due to Ferrell’s presence on the field.