When the Raiders selected defensive ends Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby in the 2019 NFL Draft, the two were supposed to fix an awful pass rush that supplied just 13 QB sacks the year before.
The strategy worked, but not as planned. Ferrell, the No. 4 overall pick, has yet to live up to expectations or find his groove in the NFL, regardless of where he was drafted. Crosby, a fourth-round pick, shot to superstardom and now leads a potent pass rush in Las Vegas.
For some, Ferrell’s predicament could breed contempt. But Ferrell talked glowingly about Crosby to reporters on Thursday. Notably, he used an old line that first surfaced during his rookie year.
As it turns out, “salt” and “pepper” are still in effect for the Raiders, with some added spice from veteran DE Chandler Jones.
Clelin Ferrell said of Maxx Crosby "That's salt, I'm pepper. Chandler is Old Spice." #Raiders
— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) September 1, 2022
Ferrell first used that line after he had a career-high 2.5 sacks against the Chargers, as Crosby also started and caused his own share of havoc.
It was easy for Ferrell to use that line when times were good. But now, as he enters his fourth year with the Raiders with no guarantees for next season, I’m impressed he had the confidence to dust it off.
It speaks to the leadership and camaraderie in the Raiders locker room, which is led in large part by Crosby, a team captain. It also speaks to Ferrell’s confidence level. After an injury slowed his training camp, some figured Ferrell could be waived by coach Josh McDaniels’ new regime.
But he’s still in the silver and black. Ferrell will apparently have a chance to impress in Las Vegas’ new defensive scheme, potentially earning a contract next season with the Raiders or another NFL club.
Ferrell is in a great spot to do so. Though he was the high draft pick, he has a bevy of talented teammates on the edge who will garner a lot of attention from the opponent.
The Raiders’ edge play has come a long way since 2018, and their No. 4 pick hasn’t helped as much as hoped. But Ferrell senses an opportunity to add his own spice to the mix this season, despite his career’s slow start.
If he can compliment an already talented group of edge players in Las Vegas, it could make for an overwhelming recipe for the Raiders’ opponents. That could help tremendously as Las Vegas looks to contend in an ultra-competitive AFC West.
