NFL Draft 2014 Prospect Profile: Khalil Mack, Linebacker, BuffaloBy Corey Brewer - Jan 26th, 2014 at 5:27 pm
Oct 19, 2013; Buffalo, NY,Buffalo Bulls linebacker Khalil Mack (46) makes a tackle during a game against the Massachusetts Minutemen at University of Buffalo Stadium. Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports Khalil Mack – Linebacker – Buffalo Ht: 6’3’’ Wt: 248 lbs 2013 defensive stats: 56 solo tackles 19 TFL 10.5 sacks 3 INT 5 FF Projected Round: 1 (Top 15) Khalil Mack went from being overlooked out of high school to one of the most coveted pass rushing prospects in the nation. He didn’t receive much attention from bigger programs as a recruit, so he elected to attend the University of Buffalo. Though Buffalo is one of the smaller FBS schools, he quickly attracted attention from the national media over his four years on campus. He completely destroyed lesser competition and played very well when given his opportunity on the big stage. He had his most dominating performance this past year against Ohio State where he racked up nine tackles, 2.5 sacks, and returned an interception for a touchdown. Mack is one of the most complete defensive prospects in this class. Positives: He has all the size you want in an NFL linebacker. He has a complete build and is as solid as a rock. He can carry his size with incredibly athleticism, which makes him a weapon on defense. He is very fast, which was shown when he beat out the entire Ohio State offense as he returned the interception for a touchdown. Mack has elite pass rushing ability. He uses his speed to his advantage when rushing around the edge. He out matches the lineman athletically and creates havoc off the snap. He also does a great job of overpowering his opponent. Mack plays with great pad level, staying low until it’s time to burst through the line. His raw power is tough to beat. He is also great against the run. He does a great job of keeping the play in front of him. When the ball carrier does happen to get by, he can chase him down anywhere on the field. His range is top-notch and he is in on every play. Mack has great tackling skills and also has a knack for stripping the ball. Negatives: He seems to hesitate off the snap more than he should. He takes a little time to read the play before he decides where he is going to rush. It would be ideal for him to rush the offensive lineman off the snap and decide where to go while he is in the process instead of hesitating. This is an easy fix. Mack has a difficult time when asked to cover a receiver in man coverage. He does a great job when asked to cover the running back because he can keep the play in front of him. It’s when he has to turn and cover that creates the problem. He’s incredibly athletic when moving side to side, but when he needs to turn around and pursue, he can get beat. Conclusion: Khalil Mack is the complete package. He is an elite pass rusher who can also play the run. He is solid in coverage and is in on every play. Mack is another linebacker who will light up the league in his first year. He can play all linebacking positions and would fit on any defense. The rest of the team would improve because of the game planning around him. He is a lock for the top 15 with a chance to be the most dominating defensive prospect in the class. http://thepewterplank.com/2014/01/26/nfl-draft-2014-prospect-profile-khalil-mack-linebacker-buffalo/?utm_source=FanSided&utm_medium=Network&utm_campaign=Trending%20on%20FS
"Mack has a difficult time when asked to cover a receiver in man coverage. He does a great job when asked to cover the running back because he can keep the play in front of him. It’s when he has to turn and cover that creates the problem. He’s incredibly athletic when moving side to side, but when he needs to turn around and pursue, he can get beat.".He may BECOME a complete package at DE with some bulking up, but with that weakness in his game he is not NOW a complete package as a LB...
any scouting report about pass rushing OLB should include the likelihood he could successfully make a transition to 4-3 DE.I hate when they leave that out.
I'd be interested in seeing just how many LB's DONT have a difficult time when asking to cover a receiver in man coverage.
Mack is a tough one. Hes definitely an elite prospect. We wouldnt use him at SAM though, and can he REALLY convert to a hand in the dirt DE? Has he ever really played with his hand down with any regularity? Size-wise, hes pretty darn close to what Rice was coming out of college, and I know theres not a person on the Red Board that would turn down drafting Simeon Rice, but will he make the change? Its a pretty big risk for #7.
I'd be interested in seeing just how many LB's DONT have a difficult time when asking to cover a receiver in man coverage.
Mack is at the top of my draft board for the Bucs after Clowney. Von Miller 2.0. Unfortunately I'm 99% sure he's going to Atlanta.
I'm sure it will be interesting to see how much Mack weight at the combine, and if he runs at that weight. I just think that sub 250 he is too light to play effectively in a 43 and I'm not gonna stand him up.
I love Mack and think he is the top 3-4 OLB over Barr....but I don't wanna take him top ten and try to convert him to a DE. He'll be a very good player for someone though.
I love Mack, have since I saw him play early this year. I have no doubts about his talent or anything related. My only question is how exactly are we going to use him to get the most out of his talent? I do think he's best as a 3-4 rush backer. I wouldn't be against drafting him, just unsure of what to do with him in our scheme.
I like him as a player, but due to his tweener status I probably wouldn't take him. I would be excited if the Bucs do pick him, as I'm sure they wouldn't unless they had a good idea of how to use him.
I'm sure we can scheme for a 10+ sack guy ....just get me the 10+ sack guy .
I'd be interested in seeing just how many LB's DONT have a difficult time when asking to cover a receiver in man coverage.
Lol...epic
I'm sure we can scheme for a 10+ sack guy ....just get me the 10+ sack guy .
Well let's scheme some. Where does he play? Not MLB and not WLB so in our base sets he is the SLB? Not sure that is a really happy thought. Never like the idea that a team can take your best player out of the game just by formation. So he has to play but he's gonna be bad at that job. If I see Mack at SLB I will go 2TE and eat him alive. Now to extend that, when we go nickel where is he? Base defense says we leave MLB and one linebacker on the field. So now you are choosing between him and David and I think taking either one off the field isn't a good idea. Do you drop him into a down spot on the line? Presumably you'd want him at RDE and then you flop AC to LDE if he can do that because of the palsy. I think Mack is a good player but to say give me players and not worry about your scheme is the exact opposite of how good teams like NE draft.
He can switch between Sam and DE on obvious passing downs. Same way the Broncos do it with Von Miller.
