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10 defensive players to watch in 2020

By William Schneiderhan

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 15: New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore runs during the third quarter. The New England Patriots play the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 15: New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore runs during the third quarter. The New England Patriots play the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 22: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Eric Fisher #72 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field on December 22, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chiefs defeated the Bears 26-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

3. Khalil Mack, OLB, Chicago Bears

Jon Gruden took the Raiders head coaching job before the 2018 NFL season and he tore the roster apart. One of the biggest trades was sending linebacker Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears.

Mack was well into this NFL career at that point, and he had already established himself as one of the fiercest pass rushers in football. His first season in Chicago did not disappoint. He was the anchor to the one the best defenses in the NFL, while his former team allowed a league-high 467 points.

Last year, Mack did see a bit of a dip. His sack total dropped from 12.5 to 8.5, which was his lowest total since his rookie year when he had just four. He also did not make as many disrupting plays. Although, he did still put together a respectable season and he received an overall grade of 86.2 from Pro Football Focus.

Mack saw more attention last year, which speaks to his lower stats. This year, he will have someone else to help take attention off him after the Bears inked Robert Quinn in free agency.

When Mack first arrived in Chicago in 2018, cameras were stuck on him all game. Who can forget his first regular-season game with the team when they played the Green Bay Packers? He had one sack and a pick-six. When he plays at his peak level, he rips through and runs by offensive linemen.

The former first-round pick is still one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, even with some possible whispers that he is overrated following last season.

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