Back in 2019, the Las Vegas Raiders used a first-round pick to select defensive end Clelin Ferrell. The hope was that he would help replace star pass rusher Khalil Mack, who was traded the season before.
Ferrell was never able to become the impact player the Raiders had hoped he’d be, but he’s still a solid veteran who keeps getting chances with NFL teams. Mack suffered an elbow injury in the Los Angeles Chargers‘ Week 2 matchup against the Raiders.
He is now headed to the Injured Reserve and is going to miss a lot of time. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Chargers have already found a replacement.
Ferrell is signing a contract with Los Angeles. He’s not the pass rusher that Mack is, but he’s always been a strong run defender. He’s also capable of getting some sacks, as he has 17.0 sacks in his career.
The Chargers have a very strong defense, but Mack is one of their best players. It’ll be difficult to fully replace him. Ferrell is a solid player to be able to add at this point in the season, but he’s got big shoes to fill. Los Angeles will likely try to bring him along slowly.
How Did Chargers Defense Shutdown Raiders Offense?
Even with Mack getting knocked out of the game early, the Raiders offense couldn’t do anything against the Chargers defense in Week 2. Las Vegas only scored nine points on three field goals.
They had quarterback Geno Smith playing some of his worst football. Former Raiders defensive back Bucky Brooks explained why the Chargers were so effective on defense.
Credit Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter for utilizing some collegiate tactics to create chaos at the line of scrimmage,” Brooks wrote for Raiders.com. The Chargers‘ game plan featured a variety of simulated pressures that kept blockers guessing at the point of attack. Though a simulated pressure looks and feels like a blitz, it is a four-man rush with a second-level defender filling the role as the fourth rusher from depth.
With most offensive linemen locked into a matchup at the line of scrimmage, the Chargers’ clever deployment of linebackers and safeties as pass rushers baffled the Raiders‘ frontline blockers. As the combination of pre-snap disguise and at-the-line movement made it challenging for the offensive line to identify potential rushers, the random ‘pop-outs’ from interior defenders and edge rushers left Smith and Co. dazed and confused at times.”
Raiders Offense Still Waiting for Breakout Game
The Raiders offense looked fine in Week 1, but they still only scored 20 points. With how much firepower they have on that side of the ball, they should be scoring more points.
Las Vegas plays a good, not great, Washington Commanders defense in Week 3, so this could be the time for the offense to finally come alive. It all starts with running back Ashton Jeanty. The Raiders used a first-round pick on him, but he still hasn’t had a big game. If he can get going, the Raiders offense could make a major leap quickly.
Former Raiders First-Round Pick Signs With Chargers, Replacing Khalil Mack