Raiders need Clelin Ferrell to step up in his third year

2021 is a critical year for defensive end Clelin Ferrell and the Las Vegas Raiders.

Two years after being drafted at No 4. overall out of Clemson, all defensive end Clelin Ferrell has to show for himself is 6.5 sacks and a bunch of losses late in the year.

While it is not his fault the Las Vegas Raiders massively overreached to take the third-best defensive lineman from the 2018 national champions in the first round, it still does not change the fact that his first two years in the league have been disappointing. Though Ferrell and his Raiders teammates may be tired of all the losing going on these days, they have no choice but to step up.

Is there any reason 2021 could be a different year for Ferrell and the rest of the Silver and Black?

Las Vegas Raiders: Clelin Ferrell has to live up to his draft status this season

If there are any saving graces towards Ferrell and the Raiders having a decent season, here are two. One, the offense is not the problem with quarterback Derek Carr flourishing in head coach Jon Gruden’s system. This balanced attack can carve up quality secondaries with the passing game, as well as ram the football down a defense’s throat with one punishing Josh Jacobs run after another.

And two, the Raiders have a handful of guys in the back-end of their defense just ready to pop under new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. If his Cover 3 base brings out the most in guys like Johnathan Abram, Damon Arnette, Trayvon Mullen and rookie Trevon Moehrig, that is great news for Raiders pass rushers like Maxx Crosby and Ferrell. Bradley should make a huge difference here.

Ultimately, did not get a Pro Bowl-level talent by reaching on Ferrell out of Clemson in 2019. They were better served trading back or taking either of his college teammates in Dexter Lawrence or Christian Wilkins. But that doesn’t really matter anymore, as the Raiders have to make the best of what they’ve got. With Bradley calling the shots defensively, expect for there to be improvement.

If Ferrell cannot thrive in Bradley’s defensive scheme in 2021, then the Raiders need to move on.