Fans call him Clelin Ferrell, when it’s actually pronounced Clee-lin Fur-rell. But scouts might call him one of the most polished pass rushers in the 2019 NFL Draft.
In an NFL Draft class with standout players such as Joey Bosa, Josh Allen, and Ed Oliver, Ferrell, who was at times in the top three conversation, has been somewhat overlooked. But the Clemson product should have a very long career, and he’ll succeed another rusher who saw a similar fate.
The Panthers recently lost a legend to retirement, as Julius Peppers hung up his cleats after accumulating 159.5 sacks and 175 tackles for loss in seventeen NFL seasons. His production will be hard to replace, but if the Panthers want one of the safest bets, then they want Clelin Ferrell.
Ferrell has a pedigree of production himself, as he amassed 27.0 sacks and 50.5 tackles for loss in three years as a starter for the Clemson Tigers. Standing at 6-foot-5, 260, Ferrell has the size the Panthers like in their 4-3 defensive ends. He’s not the athlete that other rushers are in this NFL Draft class, but he has an innate sense for leverage points as a rusher. Technically, he’s advanced for his current prospect status, and he can be a modest contributor on day one.
Whether Ferrell can develop into a perennial double-digit sack player is up for debate, but the 22-year old generates pressure and does so with reliability. He’d be a valuable addition to an already-competent Panthers defense, with some upside to boast.