Mayock: Khalil Mack Would Be My No. 1 Overall Pick

[PhxRam]

By Mike Huguenin
College Football 24/7 writer.

[www.nfl.com]

A Mid-American Conference player went first in the 2013 draft, and if NFL Media draft analyst Mike Mayock had his way, a MAC player would go No. 1 in 2014, too.

Appearing on Minneapolis radio station KFAN on Friday morning, Mayock said he would take Buffalo outside linebacker Khalil Mack first overall. Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher was the No. 1 pick in the '13 draft.

"He's explosive off the edge, he's tough, he's twitchy, he's got a little edge about him," Mayock said of Mack.

Buffalo opened the season with a loss to Ohio State, but Mayock said that when he watched tape of that game, "[Mack] dominated Ohio State like nobody I've ever seen dominate them."

Mayock also said that Mack is "really a good kid off the field" as well.

"You talk about a kid like [Jadeveon] Clowney, who's just got superhuman abilities, versus this kid, and if I had a choice between the two, I think I'm taking Mack," Mayock said.

Mayock said Mack is a prototype outside linebacker in a 3-4, but that he also would fit as a "Sam" linebacker in a 4-3, and would really shine in pass-rush situations.

Mack was listed at 6-foot-3 and 248 pounds at Buffalo. His official weigh-in at the NFL Scouting Combine comes Saturday.

Mack set an NCAA career record with 16 forced fumbles and is tied for first in NCAA history with 75 tackles for loss; he is tied with former Western Michigan defensive end Jason Babin, who started for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013. Mack also had 28.5 career sacks. Mack has been compared with Denver Broncos sack specialist Von Miller.

 

[mr.stlouis]

Hope he falls to 13, but I really doubt it.

 

[fearsomefour]

Lol....this article is insane to me.

 

[laramsoriginal]

The kid is going to be good, a beast at OLB in the 3-4.

 

[Username]

Must admit, I'm surprised.

 

[rhinobean]

Could he move to the middle? Just a thought!

 

[F. Mulder]

This is a team that needs impact playmakers IMO. To me. besides the top QBs, Clowney, Watkins, maybe Lee, and Mack strike me as playmakers. I'm all in on boosting the OL and if it turns out that a Mathews or Robinson is who they feel is the best option in strengthening that unit then I am all in. With that said, I would not be disappointed if they found a way to get someone like Mack. Right now the offensive playmakers are: Austin, Cook (when he is focused), and Givens (see Cook). Adding a guy like Watkins (or possibly Lee) would add another impact weapon on Offense that can change a game with only 1-2 plays in a game.

Defensively we've seen what Quinn can do as a Defensive playmaker. Ogletree has also shown flashes on what he has to offer in changing a game. To a lesser degree so does Jenkins. I see Mack as someone more than just playing a position in a solid manner. I see him as someone who can immediately impact a game on the Defensive side of the ball. I don't share the love some have regarding JL. I think he is a smart/solid LBer but to me he is not a game changer. I feel that way about Long too. Not a criticism just an observation. With the running QBs we face in the West as well as someone like a Vernon Davis I think a case can be made for adding a quality LBer. I also don't completely buy into the whole "he would only play 20-30%" argument. First of all, keeping teams in 3rd and long is nothing to be discounted. Secondly, on 3rd and short someone like Mack would for sure be kept in the Defensive package.

I'm not putting him over someone like a Watkins or Clowney, nor am I saying he should trump an top OL if the Rams feel that way about one of them but wouldn't be upset if they made the pick for someone like him.

Playmakers make plays and can change a game in an instant. We need more of those guys to couple with the solid/blue collar guys we already have on the roster.

 

[xander47]

This is a team that needs impact playmakers IMO. To me. besides the top QBs, Clowney, Watkins, maybe Lee, and Mack strike me as playmakers. I'm all in on boosting the OL and if it turns out that a Mathews or Robinson is who they feel is the best option in strengthening that unit then I am all in. With that said, I would not be disappointed if they found a way to get someone like Mack. Right now the offensive playmakers are: Austin, Cook (when he is focused), and Givens (see Cook). Adding a guy like Watkins (or possibly Lee) would add another impact weapon on Offense that can change a game with only 1-2 plays in a game.

Defensively we've seen what Quinn can do as a Defensive playmaker. Ogletree has also shown flashes on what he has to offer in changing a game. To a lesser degree so does Jenkins. I see Mack as someone more than just playing a position in a solid manner. I see him as someone who can immediately impact a game on the Defensive side of the ball. I don't share the love some have regarding JL. I think he is a smart/solid LBer but to me he is not a game changer. I feel that way about Long too. Not a criticism just an observation. With the running QBs we face in the West as well as someone like a Vernon Davis I think a case can be made for adding a quality LBer. I also don't completely buy into the whole "he would only play 20-30%" argument. First of all, keeping teams in 3rd and long is nothing to be discounted. Secondly, on 3rd and short someone like Mack would for sure be kept in the Defensive package.

I'm not putting him over someone like a Watkins or Clowney, nor am I saying he should trump an top OL if the Rams feel that way about one of them but wouldn't be upset if they made the pick for someone like him.

Playmakers make plays and can change a game in an instant. We need more of those guys to couple with the solid/blue collar guys we already have on the roster.

I totally agree. It actually fits a need and with blitz happy Williams as DC he should be the top pick. I think it really depends if Mack can shed blocks and be a force in stopping the run. If he can do better than Dunbar in that position I'm all for it.

Anyone have a comparison of Mack for his ceiling and floor? I'm taking to heart that the rams are going for player's they think will be dominate 10 years from now as well, hall of fame type players.

 

[jjab360]

It's crazy to think that on top of Clowney, the OTs, the QBs, Watkins, etc., this class could have a Von Miller in it that everyone seems to be forgetting about.

 

[Boffo97]

It's crazy to think that on top of Clowney, the OTs, the QBs, Watkins, etc., this class could have a Von Miller in it that everyone seems to be forgetting about.

Hopefully a Von Miller in on-the-field talent level only.

 

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/24/khalil-mack-runs-a-4-66-on-his-first-try-in-the-40/

Khalil Mack runs a 4.66 on his first try in the 40
Posted by Darin Gantt on February 24, 2014

Even though South Carolina defensive endJadeveon Clowney’s blazing time stole the spotlight during the early part of today’s on-field drills at the Scouting Combine, there are other big fast guys.

Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack, who some think ought to be the first player taken, just posted an unofficial 4.66-second time in his first 40-yard dash. His second attempt was an unofficial 4.62.

Compared to the 266-pound Clowney, whose unofficial 4.48 became an official 4.53 time, the 251-pound Mack is merely fast and not nuclear.

That’s not to say he’s not an impressive prospect, as he has all the tools to become a very good outside linebacker in a 3-4. But he’s not showing himself to be nearly as explosive as the man he’s competing against for the honor of being the first non-quarterback chosen, or perhaps first overall.

 

[Angry Ram]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/24/khalil-mack-runs-a-4-66-on-his-first-try-in-the-40/

Khalil Mack runs a 4.66 on his first try in the 40
Posted by Darin Gantt on February 24, 2014

Even though South Carolina defensive endJadeveon Clowney’s blazing time stole the spotlight during the early part of today’s on-field drills at the Scouting Combine, there are other big fast guys.

Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack, who some think ought to be the first player taken, just posted an unofficial 4.66-second time in his first 40-yard dash. His second attempt was an unofficial 4.62.

Compared to the 266-pound Clowney, whose unofficial 4.48 became an official 4.53 time, the 251-pound Mack is merely fast and not nuclear.

That’s not to say he’s not an impressive prospect, as he has all the tools to become a very good outside linebacker in a 3-4. But he’s not showing himself to be nearly as explosive as the man he’s competing against for the honor of being the first non-quarterback chosen, or perhaps first overall.

Because a tenth of a second difference in the underwear olympics means so much.

 

[Zaphod]

I've always thought he'd be a great fit for this team.

When I compare the two as a potential pick, it really seems to me like Mack has a much better head on his shoulders, he'd make an immediate impact in our 4-3 system as a SS OLB, I'm going to say that we'd be able to use the nickel less, he'd be less likely to be injured, and he'd be a real difference maker for us in the future.

Could we limp along with Dunbar for anther year? Sure, but this is just another player whom I feel would have a tremendous positive impact on the team now and in the future.

And for what it's worth, his ability to shed blocks is one of the reasons I've felt he would be a great fit on our defense.

 

[DR RAM]

He looked bad in all of the on field drills. He would struggle in coverage, he has extremely tight hips, and had a hard time listening in the drills, or doing them correctly. He kept guessing.

 

[Mojo Ram]

He looked bad in all of the on field drills. He would struggle in coverage, he has extremely tight hips, and had a hard time listening in the drills, or doing them correctly. He kept guessing.

Whats your impression of CJ Mosely at this point Doc?

 

[DR RAM]

Whats your impression of CJ Mosely at this point Doc?

Mosely looked better, but I don't think we will pick a LB that high. A guy that I like a little later in the draft is Jordan Zumwalt. He could play Sam, or Mike, and is a stud. Looked good in the drills, and is on the rise. In UCLA's bowl game, he knocked about three players out of the game.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Mosely looked better, but I don't think we will pick a LB that high. A guy that I like a little later in the draft is Jordan Zumwalt. He could play Sam, or Mike, and is a stud. Looked good in the drills, and is on the rise. In UCLA's bowl game, he knocked about three players out of the game.

I don't either unless we somehow get outmaneuvered for the top OT's,DB's,Watkins etc...

 

[Prime Time]

Khalil Mack further cements draft status
Posted by Mike Florio on March 4, 2014

AP

When the University of Buffalo became a Division I-A program in 1999, the powers-that-be never would have imagined that it would be, if only for a day, the center of the NFL’s universe.

That day came Tuesday, when representatives of 32 teams gathered for the Pro Day workout of linebacker Khalil Mack. Per Gil Brandt of NFL.com, the attendees included Raiders G.M. Reggie McKenzie and Browns coach Mike Pettine.

Touted by Mike Mayock as perhaps the best prospect of the incoming class, Mack trimmed his official time in the 40 from 4.65 seconds at the Scouting Combine to 4.55 seconds. Brandt writes that Mack “blew people away” with the pass-rush abilities displayed on Tuesday.

Brandt believes that Mack is among seven players who could be the first pick in the draft. The other six are defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, tackle Greg Robinson, receiver Sammy Watkins, and quarterbacks Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel, and Teddy Bridgewater.

 

[mr.stlouis]

Dang...

How is it guys get faster at their pro day? (I bet Watkins runs in the mid 4.3's)

Anyway, I would love to to see him in horns but I think Watkins or Robinson make more sense, here.

I'm torn... draft time can suck for this reason. You pick a guy then miss out on another.

 

[BonifayRam]

From all that I have read Mack is much better up close than back...Fisher desires LB'ers to be just as good back as forward. JL & Tree fits that requirement. Mack 6-3 251 who has been compared to RDE Robert Quinn 6-4 255 (when he came out) sure would be a hit when he was on the field but if Fisher was depending on Mack to do what Tree & JL do then there will be some bad moments. If he can not then he will be on the sideline while the Rams runs a heavy Nickle & Dime.....not what you want with a #2 overall.

WEAKNESSES: Lacks ideal range in coverage and needs to play with more consistent leverage and fluidity in his drops. Room to improve his instincts in space to do a better job anticipating the action.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1754653/khalil-mack