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Ranking the 5 best NFL trades of the 2018 offseason

By Erik Lambert

NEW ORLEANS, LA - AUGUST 30: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints talks with Teddy Bridgewater during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on August 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - AUGUST 30: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints talks with Teddy Bridgewater during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on August 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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Oakland Raiders
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 09: Khalil Mack #52 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after a play against the San Diego Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 9, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

#2:  Chicago Bears acquire Khalil Mack from Oakland

People just refused to believe it. There’s no way the Oakland Raiders would actually trade Khalil Mack. It made no sense. He was their best player. Their defensive captain. A double-digit sack artist. A former Defensive Player of the Year. Teams don’t let talents like that go. Not when they’re in their prime. Yet that’s exactly what Coach Jon Gruden did. In full command of the roster, he bypassed any idea of a lucrative contract extension for Mack and simply chose to start over.

The Bears, in dire need of pass rush help, came courting. Most would’ve expected Chicago to pay through the nose to get a deal done. While they did give up a lot in the former of two 1st round picks, a 3rd round pick and a 6th round pick, it’s what they got in return that made it such a fantastic trade. Not only did they get Mack, a 27-year old superstar, but also a 2nd round pick and conditional 5th round pick in 2020.

It was a stunning scoop for GM Ryan Pace and puts the cherry on top of an impressive offseason of work in Chicago.

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