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Former Raiders First-Round Bust Lands New Contract With Contender

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Levi Dombro | Last updated Mar 17, 2025 2:23 PM ET

The Raiders have had their fair share of draft busts as a franchise since the team moved back to Oakland in 1995. While LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell was certainly the team's biggest miss, they also whiffed on first-round players like Darrius Heyward-Bey, Rolando McClain and Damon Arnette.

Most of these players never found their footing with another team in the NFL either, but Clelin Ferrell, who the franchise selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, has carved out a nice career for himself after failing with the Raiders. On Saturday, NFL Network's Ian Rappoport reported that Ferrell was re-signing with the Washington Commanders.

While the compensation of his contract is unknown, Ferrell signed a one-year deal after a solid campaign with the Commanders last season. He started 10 games for the NFC runner-up, contributing 3.5 sacks and 26 combined tackles, including four tackles and a pass defended in the playoffs.

Ferrell is far from a high-end edge rusher, but he can certainly be an effective part of a pass-rushing rotation. He'll be just 28 years old for the entirety of next season, so it is not unreasonable to think that he may not have reached his height as a player yet. Washington certainly felt that he was worthy enough to re-sign as they chase another deep postseason run.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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