With The First Pick
Fansided

Built Through the Draft: Oakland Raiders

By Carl Cockerham

Jan 16, 2015; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie (left) at press conference at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2015; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie (left) at press conference at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) strip sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) in the end zone in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) strip sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) in the end zone in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

2014: Khalil Mack

In the 2014 NFL Draft, the Raiders took OLB Khalil Mack, the best football player in that draft, at No. 5 overall. And he came in and was dominant against the run and got pressure on the QB right away. He was among the league’s leaders in pressures but had just five sacks.

But that was more about not having a good team around him than it was about Mack himself. There wasn’t anyone else that put pressure on the QB so when Mack beat his mad, opposing QBs stepped up and threw the ball to wide open receivers the beat Raiders corners quickly.

Then you had he had an offense that couldn’t get the Raiders a lead so opposing teams were running the clock out at the end of games. Put that together with the Raiders running a 4-3 defense that doesn’t send the OLB on very many blitzes.

But adding DE Mario Edwards Jr. took away the QBs ability to step and the Raiders started to run 3-4 looks, allowing Mack to rush the passer more while Raiders QB Derek Carr made the jump to Year 2 and get him some leads to work with. The result was 15 sacks giving him 20 for his career, and All-Pro selections at DE and OLB.

Next: Derek Carr

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