With The First Pick
Fansided

Khalil Mack Has Help Coming From 2017 NFL Draft

By Carl Cockerham

Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

The Oakland Raiders defense wasn’t great in 2016 despite having NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack. But they got him some help in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Like the rest of us, the Oakland Raiders knew there was a lot of talent in the 2017 NFL Draft. So they signed TE Jared Cook, WR Cordarrelle Patterson and OT Marshall Newhouse in free agency. Then of course, they brought in RB Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch.

So QB Derek Carr has everything he could ever want on his offense, making it even better for 2017. That left the Raiders free to add players on the defensive side of the ball. And boy did they with players that are sure to plug right in to strengthen all their weaknesses.

The Raiders defense wasn’t as bad as their season totals for 2017 made them look. They just started off at a historically bad pace and actually played at top-10 level for the rest of the season. But there were weaknesses to exploit so this draft was good for them.

Just like the class of 2014 started the turnaround, the class of 20107 will put them over the top. The Raiders got four good-to-great players at positions of need in the draft a few days ago. All four of them look like they’re ready to come right in and handle their business too.

Turn the page to see who they are and what weaknesses they fell.

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