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Redskins: A prospect to watch on each team in the College Football Playoff

By Jacob Camenker

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 03: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide takes the field prior to their game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 03, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 03: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide takes the field prior to their game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 03, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/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) /

Preston Smith is a free agent. Ryan Kerrigan is one of the most consistent pass rushers in the NFL and is consistently underrated, but he is starting to get a bit long in the tooth. Kerrigan is going to turn 31 before the start of the next season, so it would be wise to add some depth to their thin unit and add another starter to offset the potential loss of Smith.

Clelin Ferrell would fit the bill. Ferrell has been one of the best edge rushers in college football the last two years. He has racked up 20 total sacks and has good size, strength, and speed. He could be the next great pass rusher in the NFL, so he’s definitely worth considering with the team’s first-round pick.

The edge rush position is one of the most stacked in the 2019 draft. There are a ton of defensive linemen that could go in the top 15 picks, so Ferrell could get artificially pushed down a bit because of the insane depth available in the draft. If that happens, the Redskins need to be ready to pounce and get one of the top players in the draft.

Against Notre Dame, Ferrell will have a chance to go up against a solid, well-coached Notre Dame offense and offensive line. If he can have a solid performance and open things up for his teammates Austin Bryant and Christian Wilkins, he will continue to generate solid tape and show NFL teams what he is capable of.

Ferrell may not be available depending on where the ‘Skins pick, but he’s definitely someone they should consider if they fall into his draft range. He could continue to help strengthen the team’s defensive front and particularly, their front line, which is arguably the strongest unit on the team.

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