With The First Pick
Fansided

Why Khalil Mack Will Get His 20 Sacks in 2016

By Carl Cockerham

August 30, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) at the line of scrimmage during the second quarter in a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at O.co Coliseum. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 30, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) at the line of scrimmage during the second quarter in a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at O.co Coliseum. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 8
Next
Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) throws a pass under pressure from Oakland Raiders defensive end Mario Jr. Edwards (97) during an NFL football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 15-12. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) throws a pass under pressure from Oakland Raiders defensive end Mario Jr. Edwards (97) during an NFL football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 15-12. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Mario Edwards Jr.

I can’t stress enough how big of an impact defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. will have on Mack’s production. As you know, every dominant edge-rusher including Lawrence Taylor had a good interior rusher. Without one, the QB can simply step up to avoid the pressure coming from the edge.

That’s why Mack was among the leagues leaders in pressures but only had four sacks in 2014. He would beat his man off the edge and as he got close opposing quarterbacks, they stepped up and threw the ball. But in 2015, Justin Tuck tore his pectoral muscle and Edwards became the starter.

Like Mack, Edwards is a beast, a physical freak, a player that requires at least two men to block him. Since he lines up inside, making him more dangerous, he takes the double-teams away from Mack. By Week 7, opposing teams already realized that they should double him.

And from Week 7 to Week 14, before he was injured, Mack had 12 of his second-in-the-NFL 15 sacks. Mack had three before Edwards entered the scene and none the two games after his injury. Edwards is back healthy now and making his jump to Year 2 so opposing offenses will have to do more about him.

Next: The Other Side

Home/Las Vegas Raiders