NFL Free Agency: Commanders Sign Former Top Pick Clelin Ferrell

Clelin Ferrell signs with the Washington Commanders after a season with the San Francisco 49ers.

Jeremy Brener | Mar 12, 2024

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The Washington Commanders are continuing to add to their front seven.

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Commanders are signing Richmond, Va. native Clelin Ferrell to a contract.

Ferrell, who turns 27 in May, is the first player from the San Francisco 49ers that general manager Adam Peters has signed from his former team.

Clelin Ferrell Kyler Murray — Michael Chow / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ferrell spent last season with the 49ers after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Las Vegas Raiders.

As the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Ferrell was seen as a key piece of the Raiders' future, but he never lived up to those standards and was relegated to backup status after his second season with the team. But he found new life in his year with the Niners and comes to the Commanders with a chance to continue being a starter.

Ferrell's signing comes after the team signed Dorance Armstrong Jr. from the Dallas Cowboys, which adds to the emphasis the team is placing on the defensive line. Considering the team traded Montez Sweat and Chase Young ahead of the trade deadline last season, defensive end was a definite need to fill in free agency.

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While Ferrell may not quite be the long-term answer at the position, it certainly gives the team an upgrade when rushing the passer.

Ferrell's contract cannot become official until the new league year begins tomorrow at 4 p.m. ET.

Published Mar 12, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.