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Oakland Raiders: Khalil Mack’s Rise

By Noah Goldstein

Dec 7, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) celebrates behind San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) after a Raiders sack against the 49ers during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) celebrates behind San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) after a Raiders sack against the 49ers during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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For the Oakland Raiders, Khalil Mack could soon unseat J.J. Watt as the best defensive player in the National Football League.

Khalil Mack could even become the best overall player in the National Football League. To analysts and experts everywhere, it seems as if this pass rusher has no ceiling.

As a rookie, in 2014, Mack gained notoriety as being arguably the league’s best defender versus the run. That year, he racked up 42 defensive stops and was second in tackles for loss per Pro Football Focus. In total, the former Buffalo Bull had 75 tackles but only four sacks to go along with them. Oakland was able to live with the lack of pass-rush given that Mack was still elite as a run-stopper. Yet, the Raiders would be remiss to think Mack could not improve.

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The former fifth overall draft pick answered the organization’s hopes in dramatic fashion. Not only did Mack retain his ranks among the league’s best-run defenders, he also joined in as one of the best pass-rushers in the game. Nearly quadrupling his 2014 total, Mack finished 2015 with 15 sacks along with 77 tackles.

Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) prepares to sack Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) during the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Raiders won 15-12. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) prepares to sack Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) during the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Raiders won 15-12. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Mack even improved his defensive stops versus the run by 12, to a total of 54. The biggest sign of improvement was Mack’s increased pressures (combined sacks, hits, or hurries), which went from 54 in his rookie season to 82 in his sophomore campaign. Nothing if not consistent, Mack registered five pressures in 75 percent of his 2015 games.

To cap off his incredible 2015 season, Mack had to find another way to be an unprecedented force. The Raider became the first ever player in NFL history to be named an All-Pro at two different positions (defensive end, linebacker). Mack has been figuring out new ways to give back to the team that drafted him out of Buffalo so high.

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Since being drafted, Mack has started in every single game that the Raiders have played. Hoping for another healthy season in 2016, the Raiders could be in for one of their best seasons in years. This could be led in enormity by the efforts of Khalil Mack. Given his vast improvements in only two years, there is really no cap on what Mack’s statistical measures could be in 2016.

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