MIAMI GARDENS ― As the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, some have described Clelin Ferrell's career as disappointing.
With seven seasons of NFL action, including 21 sacks and 181 tackles, some have described his career as solid.
How would Ferrell, the newest Miami Dolphin, describe his own career?
"My career? I don't think it's fair to put it into words yet," Ferrell said after Miami's fifth training camp practice.
Ferrell, who turned 27 in May, chose the Dolphins over a return to the 49ers. Ferrell knows he'll have a chance to earn significant playing time on a young, rebuilding team.
And he likes what he heard about the Dolphins organization from best friend Christian Wilkins. Miami selected Wilkins in the same first round of that 2019
draft.
"He just told me a lot of good things about the people here, the culture here," Wilkins said. "Obviously we have a new coaching staff, but just about the people that stuck in the building and kind of just the fans here is what really just anticipate."
Miami Dolphins roster: Clelin Ferrell could be sneaky late addition
Ferrell and Dexter Lawrence, another Clemson 2019 first-rounder, own a home in the Fort Lauderdale area.
It's an example of how Miami is an attractive free agent destination.
Ferrell, 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, plays hard and is strong, according to coach Jeff Hafley.
"He's got some good clips on tape and hopefully we can get everything out of him," Hafley said.
Ferrell had several very good pass rush repetitions in the first padded practice of the summer.
Ferrell says he tries not to think about his career through the prism of draft status.
"My goal was to play as long as I could for us to win," Ferrell said. "As hard as I could... So, that's a blessing. But, like you say, those things are stuff that you can't really worry about because that's, you know, other people's perceptions on you for sure."
Ferrell said he plans to play hard on every play. And to be consistent.
"Cutting it loose," Ferrell said of his plan for 2026.
Miami Dolphins news: Ex-Fin Christian Wilkins wants to play
Ferrell's close friend, Wilkins, would like to play again. The two stay in touch.
"He's alive, well, and doing great," Ferrell said. "That's what he looks look good. Still, still handsome. Still smiling. So, I mean, he's doing great. You know what I mean? Hopefully, you know, he get a he hopefully get a phone call someday from a team that likes him."
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Clelin Ferrell received Dolphins endorsement from Christian Wilkins
