NFL Week 2: Sammy Watkins, 5 rookies to watch

By Evan Massey | Sep 13, 2014

Sep 7, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) reacts and smiles after he catches the ball for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Carolina Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

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Aug 15, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) holds onto the ball before the start of the game against the Detroit Lions at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders

Oakland desperately needed some help in the pass rush last season and they made quite a few moves this past offseason to make that happen. Khalil Mack was the 5th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and showed quite a bit of promise in Week 1 against the New York Jets. He will be going up against the Houston Texans’ offense, which definitely isn’t something to write home about.

Mack finished his debut with six total tackles, and seemed to pick up the speed of the game very quickly. He was one of the players that multiple analysts thought should be drafted with the first overall pick, but the Raiders were more than happy to take him with the fifth pick.

Raiders defensive coordinator Jason Tarver said that rookie linebacker Khalil Mack had his best two practices with Raiders past two days.
— Steve Corkran (@CorkOnTheNFL) September 11, 2014

If that report is true and Mack is putting together his best practices in preparation for his second game, then Sunday afternoon could be a coming out party for him. He is one of the most talented young defenders in the game, and has gotten his debut jitters out of his system. This week could end up being a big one for Mack.

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