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Oakland Raiders’ Khalil Mack Is Heavy Favorite For This In 2016

By Erik Lambert

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) attempts to rush past Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) in the second quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) attempts to rush past Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) in the second quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s good being the Oakland Raiders these days because anybody with eyes can see that this team is ready to start winning football games again.

Their young core of talent led by Khalil Mack, Derek Carr and Amari Cooper is poised for stardom in the years to come. Expectations for them and the team in 2016 are sky high. However, it’s Mack who has been getting most of the love. For good reason too. After a decent showing as a rookie with four sacks in 2014, he announced his coming out party to the world last season when he railroaded offensive lines for 15 sacks. This included a monster five-sack performances against the eventual champion Denver Broncos.

The hype building around Mack has been incredible since the end of last year. Expectations have gone from Pro Bowl to proclaiming him the equal of current superstars like J.J. Watt and Vonn Miller. In fact a heavy host of experts went on NFL.com and declared that this was the year Mack would break through to win the coveted Defensive Player of the Year award.

"“Willie McGinest: Mack. He was right there with J.J. Watt in 2015, and I think he’s going to take his game to the next level this season.Adam Schein: Mack. Derek Carr told me on my SiriusXM Radio show that Mack will sack the QB 30 times this year. I won’t go that far, but put me down for 20, as Mack leads the Raiders to the playoffs!Maurice Jones-Drew: Mack. He will have a better year than the last, and I think he’s going to challenge the single-season sack record.David Carr: Mack. If my brother is right,I can’t argue against Mack. He sets the tone for the Raiders’ defense and is certainly on the rise as a defensive star.Michael Robinson: Mack. I just love this guy. He’s a beast and should build off his 2015 season, which saw him earn All-Pro honors at two positions.”"

One can certainly say his odds have gone up. J.J. Watt is dealing with rehabbing a back injury that required surgery. He may not be able to start the season, but even if he does it could be some time before he’s back to his usual form. Of course Von Miller and Aaron Donald are significant threats as well, but Mack already has the media on his side. If the Oakland Raiders can give him the added boost of a winning season, that award is all but his.

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