Khalil Mack makes history to confirm his dominance

A while back I proclaimed Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack as the most dominant player in the NFL. There were many that countered with J.J. Watt, the NFL’s sack leader for 2015 and they had a good case. That was until Mack was named to the NFL All-Pro team in two different positions in the same year.

Mack’s versatility and relentlessness earned him selections, making him the first in NFL history to do so. Last year, Watt was chosen to the first team at defensive end and second at defensive tackle. And everyone in the NFL world called him the most dominant player in the NFL.

This year, Mack made the All-Pro’s first team at both the defensive end and outside linebacker spots. Watt still does his thing all over the defensive line with his 17 sacks this year to Mack’s 15.5. But outside linebacker and defensive end requires a larger skill set than multiple defensive line positions.

So while they both dominate the game stuffing the run and getting after the passer, Mack excels in pass coverage. He uses his athleticism to go out there and shut a tight ends down when needed. That’s why the Raiders moved him back to outside linebacker after having him mostly at end early on.

NFL.com quoted Mack speaking on his skill-set and All-Pro selection saying, “I do whatever I can to help the team win. I’m a team guy. Whether it’s dropping in coverage or rushing the passer. I can do either. I think they [the voters] saw that.”