Oakland Raiders: Updated post-Free Agency 3-round mock draft

Despite the premium edge rushers in Allen and Bosa being taken early, the Raiders still need to address the pass rushing situation, given that they’ve really only got Arden Key, Josh Mauro, and Tony the Peanut Vendor under contract at the moment.

Some of the pre-combine buzz about Clelin Ferrell has waned and talk about him being a top-five pick has all but ceased. That might mean nothing or it could mean everything — like him slipping down far enough for the Raiders to pounce on him at number 24.

Las Vegas Raiders

At 6-foot-4 and 264 pounds, he has tremendous size. He didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the combine but has been estimated to run the 40 in around the 4.70- 4.80 range, so he’s got decent speed. He’s big, powerful, and racked up some big numbers over his last two seasons at Clemson — 21 sacks and 36.5 tackles for a loss.

It’s that sort of production the Raiders absolutely and desperately need on the defensive line. As a rookie, Key posted just one sack, his own production likely taking a hit thanks to a lack of viable talent on the opposite side.

Oakland’s defense as a whole notched just 13 total sacks last season — three of those belonged to Bruce Irvin before he was shipped out and rookie Maurice Hurst tallied four more. Of the remaining six, one belonged to Key and two went to Clinton McDonald.

As a unit, Oakland’s defensive line posted just 10 total sacks. 10. There was a score of individual players in the league that had more on their own.

Putting some teeth into the pass rush is critical this season and Ferrell should be able to help with that.