Niner Noise
FanSided

2019 NFL Draft: Early Round 1 mock for all 32 teams across the league

By Peter Panacy

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A Dallas Cowboys fan cheers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A Dallas Cowboys fan cheers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SC – NOVEMBER 25: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC – NOVEMBER 25: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

EDGE. Clemson. Clelin Ferrell. 5. player. 28.

The Oakland Raiders’ decision to trade off EDGE Khalil Mack was about as weird as it gets. You don’t just trade away Hall of Fame-caliber talent without reason.

But the past is over now, and acting-like-a-general-manager-over-Reggie-McKenzie head coach Jon Gruden will want to find his guy to improve what has ended up being one of the worst defenses in the NFL this season. The Raiders need a key impact player of Mack’s caliber, and few offer that as much as Clemson EDGE Clelin Ferrell.

Ferrell isn’t just a pass-rushing specialist either. He’s equally as adept at stopping the run, making him an excellent candidate to play as a three-down lineman.

That’s the kind of piece the Raiders need on this side of the ball.

Sure, there are needs in the secondary and the offense has plenty of questions too. But Ferrell is going to be a difference maker in this league, and Oakland needs that kind of piece to build around.