Dec 7, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) celebrates behind San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) after a Raiders sack against the 49ers during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Now at the end of the season, it’s time to start looking at and making cases for all of the postseason awards there are to be won. There’s the Pro Bowl, All-Pro, Defensive and Offensive Player of the year, Comeback Player of the Year and NFL MVP. So I’m going to touch on the 2014 draft class by making a case for Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Mack has competition in inside linebacker C.J. Mosley and defensive tackle Aaron Donald but has to be the guy here. Mosley has more tackles with 126 to Mack’s 82 and Donald has more sacks with 8 to Mack’s 4 but that doesn’t tell the story. Mack does more with less than the the other two rookies and has actually become the best at his position regardless of years.
Turn the page to see what I’m talking about.