Within the past two offseasons, the Raiders used the No. 4 pick on defensive end Clelin Ferrell, a fifth-rounder on a player that had been projected to be a top-10 pick and a fourth-rounder on a player that performed like a first-round selection. Maurice Hurst Jr. was the fifth-rounder who plummeted during the draft as
Raiders hopeful that DE Clelin Ferrell takes big jump in second season, as DT Maurice Hurst Jr. did last season
I’m not ready to pronounce that Hurst has “arrived” with a strong 2nd half season performance last year. PFF may have stated that, but until Hurst gets consistent pressure on the QB with sacks, he doesn’t pass the eye test as an impact player. Hurst still has a lot to prove.
Yet, as you pointed out Steve, the key difference between Hurst and Ferrell is their draft position. When you are drafted #4 overall, you need to be elite. I don’t see that in Ferrell. I hope he materializes into that type of player, but I’m skeptical. He’s not a “bend the edge” twitchy player and those that can do that with an explosive first step, are elite defensive ends. He wasn’t that in college and he won’t be that as a a professional.
When the Raiders had to be obtain another DE in FA (Nassib), after drafting a DE #4, that’s a real problem.
Correct about Hurst Jr. truly having arrived. I said precisely what you did in a comment on an earlier post, that Hurst Jr.’s grades say one thing, though what you see with your eyes doesn’t quite measure up. Either way, it is accurate to say that he played better as the season progressed and certainly looks like more of a sure thing than Clelin Ferrell at this early stage of their careers.
I agree with you Ghost, I don’t see Ferrell as elite. I do think he will be improved this season. He was certainly better against the run than he was rushing the passer. Hopefully, the addition of Nassib will help.
Seems to me getting a virus and losing 20 pounds in your rookie season is a legit problem, as opposed to an excuse. Curious, did you not see Ferrell play much better in the last 4-5 games as he got his strength back? My eyes noticed it, and so did PFF for what that’s worth.
I can’t judge what kind of player he will be after one season in the NFL. But he did improve throughout the year. If this continues, he will be just fine but he does have to keep taking steps forward in his play in order to become an elite player. I think he is capable of achieving that goal.