2019 NFL Mock Draft: Projected first round after college football season
Clemson. Clelin Ferrell. 13. player. 59. . DE
Going against the best offensive lineman in college football in Jonah Williams, Clelin Ferrell showed why he is a coveted prospect. While Williams stoned him on numerous occasions, Ferrell ripped into the backfield multiple times to pressure Tua Tagovailoa and ended up with 1.5 tackles-for-loss in the game.
Clemson’s defensive line was pushed around a good bit in the first half, but they rose up in the second half to shut out a historically powerful Alabama offense.
Ferrell came back for his senior season to win a national championship despite being a projected first round pick last season. He accomplished that goal, and now moves on to the NFL after a remarkable career in Death Valley. He finishes his career for the Tigers with 50.5 tackles-for-loss and 27 sacks, including 20 tackles-for-loss and 11.5 sacks this season.
Ferrell is strong at setting the edge, and while he may never be an elite pass-rusher in the NFL, he certainly projects to be an above average one while also being a run-stuffer.
Miami struggled to get consistent pressure off the edge in 2018, ranking 29th in the league with only 31 sacks. They’re also likely to lose their top two edge rushers, Cameron Wake and Robert Quinn, to free-agency or retirement. Wake will be 36-years-old by the time the next season starts, so even if he is retained, the need for a youth infusion remains.
The Dolphins could be moving on from Ryan Tannehill this offseason, which could make a QB, particularly with a new head coach taking over, appealing in this slot. If they fall in love with someone like Drew Lock or Daniel Jones, they could pull the trigger with this pick. Miami has a talented enough roster, however, that they’re likely to be players for an available veteran QB this offseason regardless of what they do in the draft.