The Raiders declined the fifth-year option of Clelin Ferrell just a few weeks ago, which seemed like a foregone conclusion. Ferrell failed to start in any game in 2021 and only played 261 total snaps on defense.
Going into the final year of his rookie contract, it seems pretty likely that he won’t be given a chance to compete for a starting job again as the team added Chandler Jones this offseason.
So what should the Raiders do with the former Clemson defensive end? There has been some talk about him playing more as a five-technique (base 3-4 end) or more as an inside pass-rusher on passing down. But would he benefit more from a change in scenery altogether?
In a recent article by Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report, he named seven NFL veterans that should demand a trade before training camp begins. That list included Ferrell, who Davenport believes is just a bad fit under Patrick Graham.
Here is what he had to say about the former No. 4 pick from the 2019 NFL Draft:
“It’s hard to imagine Ferrell doing any more for the Raiders in 2022 than he did the past three seasons. He’s all but buried on the depth chart, and with new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham set to utilize more three-man fronts, Ferrell is just flat-out a bad fit. He’s not athletic enough to play rush linebacker and not big enough to hold the point of attack as a five-technique end.
Ferrell badly needs a change of scenery, and there are some 4-3 defenses with teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans that might be willing to throw a late pick into a dice roll on Ferrell’s potential.”
While Graham’s defense could potentially offer more snaps for Ferrell, it’s clear that he’s just not long for the Raiders. The new front office doesn’t have any ties to him and they could allow him another chance on a different team before his contract expires.
It still seems unlikely that the Raiders will trade Ferrell before camp, there is a chance he could request a trade. And if that happens, don’t be surprised if the Raiders grant his request considering there isn’t a long-term future for him in Las Vegas.