With The First Pick
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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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Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher (72) defends against Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) and cornerback D.J. Hayden (25) during an NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher (72) defends against Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) and cornerback D.J. Hayden (25) during an NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Schedule

Mack has a total of six games against the weak offensive lines of the AFC West. The Denver Broncos tried to improve their offensive line, bringing in Russell Okung, who’s not the same guy he used to be. And Donald Stephenson, with his 21 starts in four years on the other side, can’t be trusted to contain Mack.

Mack didn’t get a sack against the San Diego Chargers in 2015 but that was because quarterback Phillip Rivers got rid of the ball quickly, something he won’t be able to do so much with the corners the Raiders have now. Everyone knows that offensive line can’t protect Rivers from anyone.

The Kansas City Chiefs can forget about it, wasting all that money on left tackle Eric Fisher. They better keep the tight end in when Mack lines up on his side because Mack physically dominates him. And Mitchell Swartz showed last year with the Cleveland Browns that he can’t block Mack either.

We’ll have to see what happens with the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons, who are solid on the edges. The Carolina Panthers look good on paper but don’t look good on the field against a good pass rush. Cordy Glenn and the Buffalo Bills are about the only other team I see presenting Mack with a big challenge.

Next: Derek Carr and the Offense

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