Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Assessing Washington Redskins First-Round Options: EDGE Clelin Ferrell

By Jacob Camenker

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers react against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers react against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 01: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after making a tackle for a loss against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter of their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 01: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after making a tackle for a loss against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter of their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

How Ferrell would fit with the Redskins

One of the biggest needs that the Redskins have comes on the edge. While their defensive line is looking like one of the strongest units on the team for the foreseeable future, the team lacks quality players that can get consistent pressure on the outside. And their thin depth there may only get worse in the coming months.

Preston Smith is set to hit free agency, and though the ‘Skins have expressed an interest in keeping him, there reportedly haven’t been meaningful negotiations from either side. Smith is young and hyper-athletic, so he will certainly generate interest. This is especially true considering that he may be one of the top pass rushers that actually hits the open market, as many other top players at the position are franchise tag candidates.

While Smith’s counting numbers aren’t always good, he does consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks and has an impact on plays. He can be prone to hot and cold stretches, but he’s still solid. And if he leaves, the team will miss him.

More from Riggo's Rag

Without Smith on the roster, the team would be left with Ryan Kerrigan, who turns 31 in August, and Ryan Anderson, a former second-round pick who has yet to live up to his billing, as the top two rushers. And the depth behind them? Cassanova McKinzy is the only rush linebacker under contract aside from that duo. So, needless to say, the team will have to add depth and potential star power at that position to avoid it becoming a weakness.

This is where Ferrell comes in. Ferrell would be a more consistent — albeit less athletic — version of Smith. He could work across from Kerrigan for a couple of seasons and become the team’s top edge presence. He can win in more ways than one, as his combination of strength, motor, and speed will make him a good fit in Washington. He has the potential to be a Kerrigan-type player, though that isn’t the perfect pro comparison for him.

The point here is that Ferrell would be a double-digit sack threat. Pairing Ferrell long-term with the three-man unit of Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen, and Matt Ioannidis would be great for the Washington stop unit. That’s something that could really bring the Redskins defense to the next level.

Home/Commanders Draft News