Las Vegas Raiders: The franchise’s all-time team
By John Buhler
Las Vegas Raiders all-time team: Outside linebackers
Part of the reason that the Raiders’ all-time is so ferocious defensively is the guys that will coming off the edge at all levels. There is no reason to move him up to the line of scrimmage, as Pro Football Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks is going to get after some guys at outside linebacker.
Hendricks played nine of his 15 NFL seasons in Raiders uniform form 1975 to 1983. He made eight trips to the Pro Bowl, made four All-Pro teams and won four Lombardi Trophies in his illustrious career. Three came with the Raiders and one came while he was with the Baltimore Colts as a rookie in 1969.
No, we didn’t forget about the best player currently on the Raiders today. Technically, Khalil Mack could have been featured up front as a defensive end, but we all know he’s best coming off the edge as an outside linebacker. Mack’s NFL career is only three years long, but the former No. 5 overall pick out of the University of Buffalo is just getting started.
To date, Mack has made two straight Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams. He was the 2016 NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year. In 48 career regular season games, Mack has 30.0 quarterback sacks, 170 tackles, 55 assists, eight forced fumbles, eight passes defended and three fumble recoveries. Mack has entered his prime and should continue to be one of the best players in the NFL for the foreseeable future.
Honorable mentions: Rod Martin (1977-88), Gus Otto (1965-72), Phil Villapiano (1971-79)