NFL
This time a year ago it was ridiculous to think the Oakland Raiders were looking to trade their All-Pro defensive end, Khalil Mack. But rumors have been floating that the Raiders are shopping Mack due to the ongoing holdout.
In the event that the Raiders move to seriously shopping Mack, there will be many teams that show interest. Below is a list of some of the most likely landing spots for the talented player.
Cleveland Browns
If the Raiders are shopping Mack, you have to think that the Browns and their willingness to improve would be one of the first teams to call. The Browns have the pieces to make this move as they have multiple picks in the NFL 2019 draft.
A defensive line that could feature Mack and the 2017 NFL Draft’s 1st overall pick Myles Garrett would terrify offensive lines. The addition of a player like Mack immediately vaults Cleveland into playoff consideration. Another reason this could a good fit is Cleveland has about $22 million in cap space which would allow the Browns to make Mack the highest paid player in the NFL.
This should be one of the destinations the Raiders prefer to send Mack as they could acquire a Cleveland first-rounder along with other draft picks from Cleveland.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco is another team that should call the Raiders due to their $26 million in cap space this offseason. The 49ers like the Browns would trade for Mack and make him the highest paid defensive player in the league.
Mack could fit in along a 49ers line that includes first-round picks Solomon Thomas and DeForest Buckner. Arik Armstead could be sent to Oakland as a sweetener in this deal. Armstead is a defensive end that’s not panning out after being taken in the first round.
Also, Mack would bring a veteran presence to the defense and boost San Francisco into serious playoff contention. The 49ers own their first, and second round picks in next years draft meaning they could potentially be included in a package for Mack.
New York Jets
The Jets are in full rebuild mode and acquiring a 26-year-old player in his prime would help to move the rebuild along. Also, Mack boosts a young defense that includes players such as Jamal Adams and Leonard Williams.
The Jets have a staggering $81 million in cap space for next season which gives them the luxury of paying Mack. But the Jets would have to be willing to part with multiple picks, and they might not be willing to part with a first-rounder in a year where the team is potentially reliant on a turnover-prone rookie QB in Sam Darnold.
The Raiders should consider the Jets as they have the worst immediate future among the teams listed. This would translate into higher draft picks in the event the Raiders move Mack.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers have the most to offer in a trade for Mack as they own their own first rounder as well as the Saints’ first round pick next year (acquired in the Marcus Davenport Trade). This could make it an appealing option to the Raiders.
But the snag is that it is doubtful that the Packers would be willing to give up two first-round picks in a trade for a player they immediately have to give a large sum of money. The only foreseeable way that this could happen is if the Packers think that Mack is the missing piece for a Super Bowl run.
Staying In Oakland
The boring but most likely outcome at this stage would be Mack staying put in Oakland. Ideally for the Raiders would sign him to a large extension that would keep him in Oakland throughout the prime of his career.
This would make sure that Oakland could hold onto their best player. It would also be a win for new (old) coach Jon Gruden as he would have a versatile player to build his defense around.
Khalil Mack’s Player Profile
The Raiders took Mack fifth overall out of Buffalo in the 2014 NFL Draft. During his senior season at Buffalo, he racked up 10.5 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss, 100 tackles, as well as three interceptions, and five forced fumbles.
In only his second year in the league, Mack had 15 sacks and was a First-team All-Pro selection. In 2016 Mack became the first ever player to be named an All-Pro at two positions as he was named to First-team All-Pro at LB and DE.
Mack didn’t have a dominant season last year. He only had 10.5 sacks in 16 games with the Raiders. This can correlated with the Raiders also having a poor year going 6-10.
