The Raiders won another game this week in part to their fantastic rookie class. The draft class scored a touchdown and made numerous plays on defense to help the team improve to 6-4. It’s truly developing into an all-time draft class for the Oakland Raiders.
Today, we will break down the performances from their entire draft class from 2019. Here is the team’s rookie report card after Week 11.
DE Clelin Ferrell: B-
It wasn’t the biggest day for the No. 4 pick in the draft, but Ferrell’s play didn’t go unnoticed. He finished the game with one tackle and one pass deflection, that helped the Oakland defense get off the field. There were snaps throughout the game where he was near the quarterback for a potential sack, but he just wasn’t able to bring Ryan Finley down.
RB Josh Jacobs: B
You can just about make the case every week that Josh Jacobs was Oakland’s best player. In Week 11, he carried the ball 23 times for 112 yards and added another 12 yards in the receiving game, as well. Jacobs’ only flaw on Sunday was a first-quarter fumble that gave the Bengals the ball back after Finley was stripped-sacked by Maxx Crosby. Jacobs doesn’t have a history of fumbling, so consider it just an anomaly for the potential Offensive Rookie of the Year award winner.
SS Johnathan Abram: N/A
The No. 27 pick in the 2019 NFL draft suffered a shoulder injury in Week 1 and was placed on the injured reserve list. With Karl Joseph hurt and expected to fit free agency this offseason, expect Abram to slide back into the starting lineup in 2020.
CB Trayvon Mullen: A
Mullen once again got the start at cornerback with Gareon Conley now in Houston, and this was arguably the best game of his career. He finished the game with five tackles and two pass deflections, one of which could have been his first career pick-six. But later on in the game, he sealed the outcome with an interception on the final Bengals’ drive. It’s clear that Mullen is becoming more comfortable in Oakland’s defense and appears to be a great fit in Paul Guenther’s scheme.
DE Maxx Crosby: A+
What more can be said about Maxx Crosby? He had a historical performance in Week 11, becoming just the fourth rookie ever to record four sacks in a single game. He’s up to 6.5 sacks on the season, which is more than Khalil Mack had as a rookie. Crosby is highly athletic and plays with a motor that never stops. Oakland might have stolen one of the best pass-rushers in the draft in the fourth round.
CB Isaiah Johnson: B
Isaiah Johnson was active for the second-straight week, but this was the first time he saw real action on defense. Johnson was able to record the first pass deflection of his career as he knocked away a pass as an outside cornerback. He is still incredibly raw, but the fact that he is on the field, getting playing time experience should be an excellent sign for his future.
TE Foster Moreau: B+
Once again, Foster Moreau delivered one limited action in the passing game. Moreau saw just two targets this week but was able to convert that into two receptions for eight yards and a touchdown. He was also great in the run game as a blocker as Oakland moved him all over the field to open up holes for Josh Jacobs. Moreau is a perfect complement to Darren Waller and was a steal for the Raiders in the fifth round.
WR Hunter Renfrow: A
Each week, Hunter Renfrow’s role on the offense continues to grow. In Week 11, Renfrow caught five passes for 66 yards, turning all five receptions into first downs. With Oakland lacking a lot of talent and depth at receiver, Renfrow’s emergence has been much-needed. The former Clemson receiver is fitting in well as the team’s go-to receiver on third down.
DE Quinton Bell: N/A
Bell was released from Oakland’s practice squad in Week 6 as the team continues to churn the bottom of the roster. Bell was just too raw of a player for Oakland to continue to stash.
