Las Vegas Raiders: 15 best first-round picks all-time
By John Buhler
player. 28. . Outside Linebacker. Buffalo Bulls, 2014. Khalil Mack. 6
Best first-round draft picks in Raiders history: 6. Khalil Mack
It’s only been three years of NFL action for outside linebacker Khalil Mack, but he’s absolutely on the path to Canton. The Raiders used the precious No. 5 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft to take Mack out of the University of Buffalo. With this kind of on-field talent, how was Mack playing in the MAC?
A late bloomer, I guess, but he’s very much in his prime for the Raiders. Mack is coming off his best season as a professional. He earned his second Pro Bowl nod, made his second All-Pro team and was the 2016 NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year. He out-dueled division rival Von Miller of the Denver Broncos for top honors last season.
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Through three NFL seasons, Mack has started 48 games, recording 170 tackles, 55 assists, 30.0 quarterback sacks, eight passes defended, eight forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and one interception.
At this cross-section of his NFL career, Mack is without question a top-10 player in football.
Time will tell if Mack is going to make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He will play his fourth NFL season at 26 years old. If he plays anywhere close to the level he’s displayed the last two years until his 30th birthday, Mack might be a first ballot hall of famer. He is that special of a football talent and he’s ours!