2019 NFL Draft: 5 most surprising picks of Round 1
By Phil Poling
Clemson Tigers. Clelin Ferrell. 5. player. 28. . Defensive Line
The Oakland Raiders entered Thursday’s first round with three picks: No. 4, No. 24, and No. 27. They stayed put on all three, but didn’t select the players everybody expected them to. Well, at least not with the picks they picked them at.
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Drafting Clelin Ferrell wasn’t a bad pick, but it was definitely a surprise with the fourth overall selection. Many believed he would be available in the 20’s, and very few believed he’d be off the board before Houston’s Ed Oliver.
Ferrell produced while at Clemson, though, and Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock will need him to contribute from the moment he joins the Raiders. After trading away Khalil Mack last year, there’s a void to be filled rushing the passer.
The Clemson product was named the 2018 ACC Defensive Player of the Year while earning All-American honors, so it’s not like the Raiders are walking away with a scrub. It’s just surprising for him to go this early, especially with all the draft capital the Raiders had in the first round.