2018 Oakland Raiders: Early Team MVP Award predictions

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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs is rushed by Khalil Mack #52 of the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

2. Khalil Mack

Let us be honest, not only is Khalil Mack a favorite to win the Raiders MVP honors, but he could find himself in the running for a league award once again in 2018. The 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Mack is an absolute beast from his defensive end position, and could be in for an even bigger year this season.

The Raiders made a nice effort to get better up front this offseason, re-signing Justin Ellis, and then drafting two very good rushers in the 2018 NFL Draft. Guys like P.J. Hall and Maurice Hurst are going to make this team so much better in the middle this season, which means Mack can eat from the outside.

In addition, the Raiders are moving Bruce Irvin to the edge full time as well in 2018, giving the team another lightning quick pass rusher on the other side of the line. Teams are going to have a hard time scheming against only Mack this season, though that has not hindered him in the past when it comes to being one of the best defensive players in the league.

Mack had only four sacks as a rookie back in 2014, but he has been a monster ever since. He has collected double-digit sacks in each of the last three seasons, and seems to be a guy who is just entering the prime of his career.

In good years, and bad, the one positive constant on this team has been the play of Mack on the edge. He is rounding into a Hall of Fame player for the Raiders, and 2018 could be the year he breaks his single-season sack record of 15.

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