With The First Pick
Fansided

OLB Khalil Mack Wins NFL Defensive Player of the Year

By Carl Cockerham

Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) warms up before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) warms up before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Congratulations to Khalil Mack for winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year!

When the Oakland Raiders drafted OLB Khalil Mack in the first round in 2014, it was on. Everyone knew that the Raiders finally picked the man they were supposed to pick in the draft. NFL Network draft analyst Mike said, “This kid is the best football player in this draft.”

And there weren’t many outside of the Houston Texans organization that didn’t agree. Remember, the Texans passed on Mack to pick the overrated Jadeveon Clowney. When the Raiders picked Mack, the comparisons to Lawrence Taylor started to spill.

After a solid rookie year, Mack showed that he could become the NFL’s most dominant defensive player in Year 2. Then in Year 3, when you see what a draft pick is, he officially became that. The AP made it official by naming him the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Saturday.

He had 77 tackles, 11 sacks, five forced fumbles, an INT returned for a TD and four passes defensed. Mack also had an NFL-leading 96 pressures according to Pro Football Focus. The impressive thing is that always came through in the clutch.

He enabled his QB, Derek Carr, to win Castrol Clutch Player of the Year this year. It was Mack that slammed the door in the other team once Carr completed a game-winning drive. The scary thing about Mack is that he is just scratching the surface.

Next year, he’ll be even better with Aldon Smith on the other side and Mario Edwards Jr. inside. If the Raiders bring back Stacey McGee, that’s even more help inside. And of course, Carr will help as he goes out and gets leads so opposing teams have to pass.

Enjoy this guy, he’s going to be an all-time great!

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