Grades For the First Round of the 2014 NFL Draft

OLB. Oakland Raiders. KHALIL MACK. A+. <p>After all of these years, the Oakland Raiders finally got one right taking Khalil Mack No. 5 overall. It’s shocking that the Raiders ended up with the best pure football player in the 2014 NFL Draft. He didn’t have as many sacks as everyone wanted but he was only a part-time pass-rusher on a team that rarely led in games.</p> <p>Plus he didn’t have anyone else on the team that could take the focus of opposing teams’ blocking scheme’s away from him. Mack was so good that Pro Football Focus named him the best 4-3 outside linebacker in the NFL. So while he didn’t get rookie of the year, no other rookie was considered the best player at their position.</p> <p>Opposing teams go nowhere running to his side as he was among the league leaders in tackle’s for losses and quarterback pressures. The Raiders never blitzed so third down was the only time he had a chance to rush the passer. But with the new scheme the Raiders will have in 2015, Mack will get his sacks as the Raiders get high marks.</p>