2018 Oakland Raiders training camp: Top-10 storylines

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 10: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sidelines against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 10: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sidelines against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: Alex Smith No. 11 of the Kansas City Chiefs is rushed by KhalilMack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: Alex Smith No. 11 of the Kansas City Chiefs is rushed by KhalilMack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

No Mack

Khalil Mack is the best defensive player on the Raiders, and may be the best defensive player in all of football. After the 2017 season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Mack removed himself from team activities, and has been nowhere to be seen all summer long.

Mack is in the last year of his rookie contract, and is slated to make over $13 million dollars this season. The hope for Mack is that the Raiders offer him a long-term deal, because he wants to be a Raider, and this defense needs him badly if they hope to improve on a porous season in 2017.

Already an NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Mack deserves every dollar he gets, and the Raiders should open up the checkbook for him at some point this summer. The hope is he does not miss anytime during the regular season, because while some need training camp to get ready, Mack should be able to show up and dominate from day one.

Schedule