Raiders exercise Kahlil Mack’s fifth-year option

In a move that should surprise no one, The Oakland Raiders exercised Khalil Mack’s fifth-year option.

After starting off slow, Khalil Mack had a monster year in 2016 with 11 sacks, five forced fumbles, and a pick-six. Due to those numbers, the 2014 first-round draft pick was voted the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. He edged out Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller by one vote. Mack now has 30 sacks in his first 48 NFL games.

So it came as little surprise when Peter Schrager of FOX Sports and NFL Network reported Mack’s fifth-year option getting picked up. This also follows suit with a story done earlier this week by our very own Brad Berreman.

Mack’s average of 10 sacks per year is fantastic, and by all accounts this young man has yet to peak. That is great news for an organization that spent 14 years in obscurity, but that also has kept things tight, cap wise, for the future.

Of course most general managers would love to have that problem with the talent the Raiders possess now. This option being exercised gives Reggie McKenzie two full years, if needed, to lock up one of the best young defensive players to a long-term deal. Mack should be commanding one of the richest deals in league history, likely using the contracts of Justin Houston and Miller as a baseline for his pact.

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With the 2017 draft almost upon us, the Raiders will definitely need to load up on defense. The team ranked in the bottom third of total defense last season, with few names to talk about outside of Mack and fellow pass-rusher Bruce Irvin. Oakland also needs to bring in additional young talent to supplement Mack up front, particularly up the middle.