With The First Pick
Fansided

Mack is Back to Dominate, Lead Oakland Raiders

By Carl Cockerham

Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) high fives fans after the beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime at Raymond James Stadium. Oakland Raiders defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) high fives fans after the beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime at Raymond James Stadium. Oakland Raiders defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Kyle Orton (18) is pressured by Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack (52) at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Kyle Orton (18) is pressured by Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack (52) at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Year 1

The Raiders drafted Mack at No. 5 overall in 2014 so he had horrible teammates around him. He came in and showed flashes right away with a lot of pressures and tackles for losses in the run game. But you can’t call yourself a dominant pass-rusher without sacks.

So Raiders fans as well as straight-up football fans waited a long time to see dominance. Mack didn’t record his first sack until the team’s 10th game of the season. It was at that point that he seemed to be figuring out what he needed to do.

From there, more tackles for losses, sacks, and pressures came and he finished with four that year. Also for the whole 2014 season, the Raiders finished ranked No. 21 in total defense. Before Mack got going, the Raiders gave up 372 yards per game, which had them at the bottom of the NFL.

But once he got going, the Raiders gave up 339 yards per game with nothing around him. That per game average would have had the Raiders in the Top-10 in total defense for the season. All Mack had was Charles Woodson at S and he made the defense that much better.

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