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 /
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Nov 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is injured as he is sacked by Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith (99) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is injured as he is sacked by Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith (99) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /

The Other Side

When you have a good edge rusher on the other side, opposing teams can’t simply slide the protection your way. They surely won’t be able to do that to Mack and the Raiders because they will have another good edge rusher on the other side.

Between Bruce Irvin, Aldon Smith, and Shilique Calhoun, there will be plenty of pressure coming from the other side. Irvin will get the first shot as he is the one currently working with the ones. The Raiders picked him up in free agency after he spent his first four years in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks.

But he was mainly used in coverage has he wasn’t able to beat out as the Seahawks already had edge rushers. Then there’s Smith, who was the best edge rusher in the NFL until he started getting in trouble. That trouble has led to him being suspended for the first 10 games in 2016.

Then of course, there’s Calhoun, the steal of a third round pick that’s looking good in camp so far. The only one that’s proven here is Smith but he hasn’t proven he can behave. However, all three are very talented so I’m sure between the three, at least one will produce on the other side.

Next: The Secondary

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