Oakland Raiders: Offseason Winners and Losers
By Justin Smith
Khalil Mack, DE/OLB
After getting oh-so-close to multiple sacks in his rookie season, Raiders defensive beast Khalil Mack figured out how to finish in 2015 en route to 15.5 sacks, second in the NFL behind the inhuman football monster that is J.J. Watt.
Mack did this while consistently being double and triple teamed up front while receivers and particularly tight ends ran mostly free through the Raiders’ defensive backfield. With little consistent coverage on the back end and LB’s who couldn’t cover an orange with a tarp, Mack had to be extra quick to get QB’s on the ground. And he was.
Drafting Ward in the second round and DE Shilique Calhoun in the third gives the Raiders more depth and versatility along the line, and if their talent manifests, a Calhoun projects as a pure pass rusher and Ward a three-technique that could give QB’s fits and free up Mack to eat even more. Although they’re both listed as DEs, per Levi Damien of Silver & Black Pride the Raiders coaching staff has other plans for them.
The offseason signings of huge corner Sean Smith and ball-hawking safety Reggie Nelson, and drafting first-rounder Karl Joseph – a versatile safety who is a ball-hawk that also rattles teeth with his hits – give the Raiders the ability to move T.J Carrie back to his natural position at corner.
The Raiders concentrated on defense in free agency and the draft, and it has given them a ton of versatile talent and depth along the defensive line and in the defensive backfield. Less people to block him plus tighter coverage equals Mack with more time and less obstacles on his way to the QB – which means a veritable feast of signal-callers for the third-year All-Pro.
Next: Raiders Offseason Review: Winners