Redskins 2019 NFL Draft top twenty edge rusher big board
By Ian Cummings
The placement of Clelin Ferrell over Montez Sweat isn’t necessarily a slight to Sweat. I’m simply high on Ferrell’s floor as a player. Because his floor itself is very high.
Ferrell doesn’t have the developmental upside that other edge rushers in this class have. You’ll hear that statement often, and it is indeed true. Ferrell is an average athlete; his lack of explosive athleticism isn’t a detriment to his game, but it can limit him in situations where better athletes would be able to thrive.
That said, Ferrell compensates for his general lack of athleticism with play power, long arms, and an impressive in-depth understanding of the game’s fine details, and how he can cultivate leverage for himself on a situational basis. One of the most nuanced edge defenders in this class, Ferrell poses a threat against both pass and run sets, and his production matches his profile: He logged 11.5 sacks, 20.0 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles in 2018.
Ferrell projects as a Ryan Kerrigan-esque defender in the NFL. His athleticism is never going to wow you, but he has enough of it to properly supplement his diverse mental and physical skill set. Ferrell should be a quality starter for a long time in the NFL, and surefire reliability on the edge is in high demand.