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Raiders decline fifth-year options on all '19 first-rounders
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders decline fifth-year options on RB Josh Jacobs, S Johnathan Abram, DE Clelin Ferrell

The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Friday that they had declined the fifth-year options on all three of their 2019 first-round draft picks.

Ferrell was selected by the Raiders as the fourth overall pick three years ago and his numbers and playing time have both steadily declined since his rookie season. In 2019, the Clemson product racked up career highs in tackles (38), tackles for loss (eight), passes defended (five) and sacks (4.5).

In 2020, Ferrell was limited to 11 games due to injury and time spent on the COVID-19/reserve list, but still registered 27 tackles, a career-high 10 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and two sacks. The 24-year-old played in all 16 contests in 2021, but saw the field for a career-low 261 defensive snaps (24%) and had just 14 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Jacobs was picked 24th overall in 2019 and had a big rookie campaign, recording a still career-high 1,150 rushing yards on 242 carries, while adding seven scores on the ground in 13 games played. The former Alabama back finished second to Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray in that year's AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.

A native of Tulsa, Ok., Jacobs posted career highs in rushing attempts (273) and rushing touchdowns (12) across 15 tilts in 2020 -- earning Pro Bowl honors -- but with 1,065 rushing yards, his yards per attempt (3.9) were the lowest of his short NFL journey thus far. The 24-year-old saw less work as a rusher over 15 contests in 2021 (career-low 217 carries, 872 rushing yards), but still went over 1,000 yards from scrimmage by seeing the most receiving work in three years with career highs in targets (64), receptions (54) and receiving yards (348).

Abram was chosen at No. 27 in 2019, but tore his rotator cuff and labrum in Week 1 and missed the remainder of the season. He posted 86 tackles and career highs in passes defended (six) and interceptions (two) over 13 games in 2020, before collecting a career-high 116 tackles last season.

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