Detroit Lions 2019 draft profile: Defensive end Clelin Ferrell

As the draft gets closer, we’ll be previewing potential draftees for the Detroit Lions come April. This week, we’ll look at Clemson defender Clelin Ferrell.

With the Detroit Lions eliminated from playoff contention, it’s about time to start previewing the draft and start dreaming of current college football stars donning the Honolulu Blue come September of 2019.

It’s no secret that the Lions could improve on the defensive line. While Detroit got solid contributions from Damon Harrison, A’Shawn Robinson and Da’Shawn Hand, they could use more help rushing the passer off the edge, especially since expensive former pro bowler Ezekiel Ansah is unlikely to be resigned this offseason.

With the departure of Ansah likely, the Lions could use a lengthy, explosive pass rusher to take his place, and that description fits Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell rather nicely.

Ferrell has had a pretty impressive career for the Tigers, as he’s posted 158 total tackles and 26.0 sacks in his Clemson career, with 10.5 of those sacks coming in the 2018 season.

There’s a strong case to be made that the Clemson defensive line is the best unit in college football, and Ferrell is one of the main reasons for that. Standing at 6-foot-5, Ferrell uses his length, effective handwork and relentless motor to be a nightmare for ACC quarterbacks.

Ferrell was celebrated for his 2018 accomplishments earlier this month, as he was awarded the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation’s best defensive end. Ferrell won the award by a landslide, earning 50 percent of the vote from the committee.

The Clemson Tiger is a common mock draft pick for those posted this December, as he was projected to be a Lion by many draft experts, such as Jon Ledyard of The Draft Network, Kalyn Kahler of Sports Illustrated and Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports.

Ferrell is the type of player who can enter the Detroit defense and make an instant impact, as he can play anywhere on the defensive line, providing flexibility and depth for a unit that is in need of both.

The 2018 Ted Hendricks Award winner would be yet another Clemson defender who could make an impact in the NFL, as fellow pass rushers such as Vic Beasley, Kevin Dodd, Grady Jarrett, Jarvis Jenkins and DeShawn Williams have. These former Tigers have already made their presence felt in the pros, pursuing their NFL dreams thanks to some of the skills they learned at Clemson.

Since it is likely that elite pass rushing prospects such as Ohio State’s Nick Bosa and Kentucky’s Josh Allen will be long gone by the time the Lions are on the clock in the first round, Ferrell is clearly the next best option. As seen in these highlights, Ferrell’s unique combination of length and speed make him a very good pass rusher, as well as a solid run stopper.

With beautiful hand technique, a variety of moves to evade offensive linemen, explosive bursts of speed and a sky-high motor, Ferrell can make an impact on an NFL Field right away, and hopefully, that impact is made wearing Silver and Blue at Ford Field.