ESPN lists Raiders 4th overall pick Clelin Ferrell as one of few players drafted to the perfect team

If you frequent this site, you know how many times we have said Clelin Ferrell is the perfect fit for Paul Guenther’s defense. I was saying as much well before the draft even happened. It was never a question of whether the Raiders should draft him, it was just a matter of whether they would be able to move down from pick 4 or up from pick 24 to get him.

Well, Mike Mayock said when their pick came up at 4, no one was calling, so the only call that was made was to take Ferrell at 4th overall. The pick sent shockwaves around the draft world as mock drafts are king and if you disrupt the predetermined order of things, you will be chastised for it.

We were prepared for it to happen. And in the aftermath of the draft, some of the other outlets who initially were in a state of shock are coming around to it as well.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen put out a list of 15 players he sees as having been drafted by the perfect team. And wouldn’t you know it, Clelin Ferrell was among them.

Clay’s 2019 projections: 37 total tackles, five sacks and one pass breakup

The Raiders surprised some by drafting Ferrell so high, but I understand why Oakland saw him as a fit for Paul Guenther’s defensive scheme. In this system, the Raiders want a three-down defensive end with the power to physically set the edge versus the run game and the pass-rush traits to impact the pocket.

Ferrell brings that, with the first-step burst, hand usage and bend to get home in true passing situations. This is a pass-rusher who was very productive for two national title teams.

Mock drafts go wrong a lot because all too often they don’t delve into specific team needs and fits when projecting where players will be selected. This is one of those instances.