2014 NFL Draft grades: Oakland Raiders select Khalil Mack
By Jack Crosby
With the fifth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, commissioner Roger Goodell walked to the podium and announced that the Oakland Raiders would be taking Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack to add a little bit of versatility to their defense.
Although coming from the small MAC school, Mack steadily shot up a lot of people’s draft boards in recent months with some tremendous workouts and interviews.
In four years with the Bulls, Mack compiled 327 total tackles with 28.5 sacks, tremendous production which the Raiders are now hoping translates to the professional level.
As for how he fits with the Raiders defense, he’ll more than likely play a role similar to the one that Von Miller plays with the Denver Broncos. He can play the SAM position, but as a lot of experts have already stated since the pick, they can move him around at will and he has the ability to come up and rush off the edge of the line if they choose to do so.
Overall, though, this was a great pick by the Raiders and ultimately there was no way that they were going to pass up the opportunity to select him in this spot. He should be a constant force on that defense for years to come as the Raiders look to get back to prominence in the AFC.
Grade: A-