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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 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) prepares to pass the football in the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) prepares to pass the football in the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Derek Carr and the Offense

In Mack’s rookie year, quarterback Derek Carr was just a rookie too and he didn’t have much around him. Then last year, with better pass protection and a better receiver corps, Carr made a big jump to Year two. The addition of guard Kelechi Osemele will give him even better protection.

Plus tight end Clive Walford is healthy this year to go along with receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. Cooper and Walford are making their big jumps to Year 2 now. So Carr can’t help but have another big jump in him, going from Year 2 to Year 3.

The some of all that makes for an explosive offense that can go out and get leads. Those leads will lead to more pass-rush attempts for Mack as opposing teams will look to throw the ball more. Gone are the days that opposing teams are running the clock out the fourth quarter.

Mack than tripled his sack total in Year 2 because he played with way more late leads than he did in Year 1. I don’t know about more than tripling his sack total from Year 2 to Year 3, but he will play with more late leads and that will be Mack’s biggest help toward getting his 20 sacks.

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