DENVER –- Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack made an immediate impact in the NFL. Last year’s No. 5 overall pick was disruptive off the edge, without significant stats to support those efforts.
He was widely respected by players and media alike, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting. But, with just four sacks and a forced fumble in 2014, he didn’t make enough game-changing plays visible to the naked eye.
“Going into this gig, you heard stories about Khalil before we came and how Khalil was such a young talent,” defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. said back in April. “…Everybody is saying how good he is and he got four sacks. I thought to myself, ‘How many great players have four sacks?’ You have to get in double digits. … If they’re thinking he’s this good and he’s done so little, imagine when he actually does what he’s supposed to do.”
Norton’s offseason comment wasn’t outlandish. The man had a point. The league’s best pass rushers get to the quarterback and bring him down. Norton mentioned reaching double digits, and Mack is almost there.
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He has nine with four games remaining, a number reached with a surge that includes four in the last two weeks. Mack is the NFL’s highest rated edge rusher according to Pro Football Focus, with his nine sacks and 48 other quarterback pressures. He also has 15 tackles for a loss this season.
“Khalil is an excellent athlete,” rookie defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. said. “People could look at him and assume he’s all about speed, but he is so strong. Strong as an ox. His ability to mix it up with power and speed and technique is tough to deal with, especially considering his motor doesn’t stop.”
Mack has learned how to finish by "playing chess, not checkers." Mack and Edwards both used a phrase taken from defensive line coach Jethro Franklin uses to discuss working an opponent over the course a game, waiting for the perfect moment to change things up and get to the quarterback.
“You can work on someone all game to set up something that will work at just the right time,” Mack said. “It’s all about being decisive and knowing what you’re going to do throughout the game.”
Mack saved his best for a pair of third-down sacks last week. He used raw power to shut down a 3rd-and-4 deep in Kansas City territory. He struck with a half sack later with a late burst of speed. On his final half sack, Mack pushed his man back and toward the sideline before leaping back to grab the quarterback.
He can do pretty much anything, but still doesn’t have a signature.
"He is still getting better and he’s still learning what he does best,” Norton said. “Every great pass rusher has a ‘go-to’ move and he’s still developing that ‘go to’ move. Right now, he’s doing everything and it’s working, so it’s important for him to really continue to grow and see what he has.”
Mack said back in April that the lack of finishing capability bothered him as a rookie. Now he’s happy to be productive, but doesn’t like drawing attention to it. He’s confident without bravado, using sacks and pressure as a means to a desired end.
“It’s cool to see (the sacks come), but we’re grinding every week to get a win,” Mack said. “We’re not grinding every week to collect sacks. I’m a team guy. Whatever happens as far as stats go, I care about being effective and getting wins.”
