Oakland Raiders: Khalil Mack a Two-Time All-Pro in 2015?

Associated Press All-Pro Team voters selected Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Khalil Mack as a premiere defensive end and linebacker in 2015. 

Apparently, the voters were as confused as most people when categorizing Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Khalil Mack. For the first time ever, a player earned an All-Pro selection at two different positions, per Associated Press writer Barry Wilner.

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The No. 5 overall pick in 2014 lined up with his hand in the ground for a portion of the year on the defensive line; he also stood up slightly behind the line of scrimmage. And as we found out, those trying to block the talented defender found themselves and little confused (and/or overwhelmed) at times as well.

Either way, Mack demolished quarterbacks in the latter half of the season. He ran through the Denver Broncos offensive line and over Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler in Week 14, totaling five sacks in the second half of the game.

Mack tied Hall of Famer Howie Long’s franchise record for most sacks in game:

General manager Reggie McKenzie drafted Mack out of Buffalo a year ago and he played outside linebacker as a rookie, recording four sacks in 2014.

During the offseason, Mack made a concerted effort to become a more impactful player on defense, per ESPN’s Jeffri Chadiha. He bulked up to challenge the tough offensive linemen in the trenches. He reaped significant results, jumping from four sacks as a rookie to 15 in his second season:

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/8/2016.

The Raiders’ defensive powerhouse finished second in sacks behind Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (17.5), who also earned an All-Pro selection at his position. It was quite a jump for the second-year pro and a boost for an Oakland pass rush that in 2014, totaled only 22 sacks as a team – tied for the second-fewest in the league that season.

Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. deserves credit, as a first-year coordinator, for utilizing Mack in a variety of schemes to pressure the quarterback and force long-distance situations for opposing offenses.

Mack’s most unheralded skill set, his ability to stop the run, often goes unnoticed. Nonetheless, he’s arguably the league’s  best edge-rusher also capable of shutting down the rushing attack. Along with his aforementioned sack total, he racked up 77 tackles, a pair of forced fumbles and knocked down two passes.

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The sack monster in Oakland earned a distinguished and well-deserved honor, courtesy of the Associated Press. He’s a budding superstar in the league and the leader – by example – within the Raiders defense.

The Silver and Black could not avoid another losing season in 2015 and haven’t been above .500 since going to Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002. But with players such as Mack the team seems to be headed (finally) in the right direction.