Grading the Commanders' latest five signings in 2024 free agency
By Dean Jones
Commanders signed Clelin Ferrell
Clelin Ferrell was the No. 4 overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Clemson. Big things were expected of the defensive end. but he was another high-end pick utilized by the Las Vegas Raiders who couldn't meet some lofty targets.
Ferrell notched nine sacks in four seasons before joining the San Francisco 49ers in 2023. The edge presence looked a little more comfortable with better weapons around him, notching 3.5 sacks from 43 percent of the team's defensive snaps and improving his run-stopping for good measure.
Adam Peters was part of the brain trust that decided to take a chance on Ferrell. Bringing him to the Washington Commanders on a one-year deal is a supreme vote of confidence in the player to take another leap forward with Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s system.
This is a low-risk, high-reward pickup. If it doesn't work out, the chances of Ferrell getting another NFL opportunity are slim. Nobody is expecting the production of a top-five pick - not at this stage based on his five-year sample size - but he could be a decent piece on the defensive end rotation with the potential for starting involvement if everything goes well.
Grade: C+
Ferrell might not be a world-beater, but he's got some nice physical attributes. Now is the time to start putting them to better use.