RAIDERS ROOKIE REVIEW

Five weeks into the season S&BI offered up a quick analysis of the Raiders 2019 draft class. Three months later we’re ready to do it again, only this time as a summation of each rookie’s season rather than a snapshot moment.

Of the nine players drafted by general manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden, eight made significant impacts during their rookie campaigns, building what first-rounder Clelin Ferrell calls the core of the Raider moving forward.

“We’re going to be a presence in this league for many years to come,” Ferrell said. “Our core is becoming very, very strong. We have something special going here. Cant wait till next year.”

Here’s how the 2019 draft class did in their rookie seasons.

• Defensive end Clelin Ferrell: An illness that caused him to drop nearly 15 pounds, in addition to playing out of position for much of the early part of the schedule, made it difficult to gauge just how Ferrell did. The numbers he put up were respectable (38 tackles, 4 ½ sacks) but Ferrell never had that breakout game many had hoped for. Where Ferrell really stood out was in the locker room, as he emerged as a leader on the defense. “I think next year when he becomes more of a full-time defensive end acclimated to the scheme better, I think he’ll show even more and more improvement,” Gruden said.