A polarizing Las Vegas Raiders player that continues to stir up debate is beleaguered defensive end, Clelin Ferrell. However, the Raiders’ cutting Ferrell wouldn’t make sense from a financial standpoint. Rather, we’re more likely to see the former first-round pick get buried in the depth chart.
As far as training camp goes, Pro Football Focus named Ferrell as a “faller” in a recent publication. PFF’s Doug Kyed looked at all 32 training camps, and to no surprise, Ferrell must have been an easy pick.
“The Raiders declined Ferrell’s fifth-year option before the season, and now he hasn’t practiced since July 27. Not a great start to Ferrell’s fourth NFL season under new leadership in Las Vegas.”
Raiders DE Clelin Ferrell is off to a bad start, will he make it to Week 1?
Kyed makes a good point regarding Ferrell’s fifth-year option. The team’s new brain trust didn’t see fit to extend any of the first-round picks from 2019, including Ferrell. As far as potentially cutting him, it wouldn’t be the most financially wise decision. Looking at his contract via Spotrac, the Raiders would incur a $10 million dead cap hit. That’s far too much money to give out to a player that wouldn’t even be on the roster.
Ferrell also doesn’t carry much trade value either. He’s failed to live up to any of the expectations that come with being a top-five pick, though we can all agree now that the previous regime overdrafted him. Regardless, he won’t bring much in return in any trade scenario. Ferrell has proven to be a consistent, solid run defender in his defense, and with Kyle Fackrell now out, Ferrell could still be a rotational piece this year. It might just be a better option for the Raiders to ride out his contract and cut ties in 2023 if Ferrell can’t produce under new coordinator Patrick Graham.
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*Top Photo: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images