Case For Khalil Mack to Win Defensive Rookie of the Year

November 20, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Sio Moore (55, bottom) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) with help from Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Bottom Line

Mack is rated No.1 as a 4-3 outside because you can’t block him if he’s playing the run or rushing the passer. He’s No. 2 in the NFL in run stuffs at or behind the line of scrimmage and No. 1 in tackles for a loss against the run. And he’s not a run defense specialist, he’s just great at whatever you do against him as he covers well too.

He would be among the league leaders in sacks if he played with leads and wasn’t on the NFL’s least thrown on defense. He darn-near single-handedly took over the game against the San Francisco 49ers as he played with the lead late in the game.  Mack is second to Miller among 4-3 outside linebackers in quarterback hurries with 39 to Miller’s 45 despite rushing the passer way less.

So when you see him in categories like that and look at his all-around game, he should be the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.