The Big Trade Route: Khalil Mack
Yes, I’m serious.
If the 49ers want to make a big splash and solidify their place as possible Super Bowl contenders, they should seriously look to acquire EDGE Khalil Mack. This type of trade would be unprecedented, but if you take a closer look at the Oakland Raiders‘ situation with Mack, a trade could be possible.
In order for the Raiders even to consider initiate a trade involving Mack, either their relationship with Mack is so severely fractured that they would have to cut their losses, or they just wouldn’t be able to pay him what he’s worth.
Let’s look at the first scenario. Mack is one of the best defensive players in the NFL today. He is a top-three edge rusher. Naturally, he would want to get paid as such. This is where the relationship might fall apart.
Khalil Mack held out for the entirety of the offseason so far and will continue to do so.
Khalil Mack’s holdout “could last into the start of training camp” https://t.co/MJUq2POddR
— Raiders Beat (@RaidersBeat) June 12, 2018
What we as fans don’t know is how the Raiders feel about this decision. In all likelihood, they have no serious qualms about the holdout transpiring into something, but as we saw with Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, sometimes things can happen.
The other reason that could force the Raiders to try to trade Mack would be they just can’t afford him. There is almost no chance of this happening because, when you have a player of Mack’s caliber, you pay him. But just to see how this could arise, we should take a look at the Raiders salary cap.
According to Overthecap.com, the Raiders have just $2 million of salary cap space for this year. That unfortunately means nothing regarding Mack’s possible extension. Next year, the year when Mack could potentially be a free agent, the Raiders are projected to have $47 million in cap space. That’s more than enough to sign Mack up to a long-term extension. The only way the Raiders could not be able to pay Mack is if they just forget about him. So that path isn’t happening either.
This means that the 49ers would have to be the ones initiating the trade, and most likely have to offer an incredible package. Before we dive into the details of trading for Mack, let’s see why Mack would be worth a “Godfather” offer.
Mack is an absolute beast. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at this:
That’s Tyron Smith, a top-three tackle in the NFL, who Mack just pushed back like it was nothing.
Plays like that are why Mack is a former Defensive Player of the Year, three-time Pro Bowler and, technically, a three-time first-team All-Pro. I say “technically” because, back in 2015, Mack was elected first-team All-Pro at both linebacker and defensive end.
He received those nominations by having double-digit sacks in the last three years despite dealing with constant double and triple teams. Pro Football Focus (h/t Levi Damien of Silver & Black Pride) ranked Mack seventh in their top 50 NFL players for the 2018 season.
Here’s what they have to say about him:
"Mack notched 79 total pressures and led the league among edge defenders with 53 defensive stops. He is dominant on the edge as a rusher and a run defender, and has done it without a huge amount of help up front on that Raiders defense."
Mack is extremely athletic and skilled, boasting an impressive cache of pass-rush moves. If he got paired with a disruptive interior force like DeForest Buckner, the sky’s the limit for what he would be able to do. He could wreak havoc on the league.
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You never can really give enough for a player of Mack’s caliber, but there are a few potential packages the 49ers could try.
The first package would be player heavy. The Raiders have no major weaknesses, but rather aren’t very talented at a lot of places. One potential area of concern for the Raiders is the secondary. They have some serious depth problems with their corners and safeties. Defensive back Jimmie Ward would be a perfect piece in this trade. The 49ers have no need for him following second-year safety Adrian Colbert’s rise, and the Raiders could plug him right in their starting lineup as a free safety or slot corner.
Another player that could intrigue the Raiders is Arik Armstead. By trading Mack, they would have a hole in the defensive line, which Armstead could help fill. Trading Armstead would clear up the depth chart and also free cap space to help re-sign Mack. Tack on a late first- and probably fouth- or fifth-round pick, and this could be of intrigue to the Raiders.
The other type of offer is pick heavy. The 49ers would have to offer at least a first- and third-round pick this year plus, let’s say, a second- and third-round pick the following year. This seems like a lot because it is a lot, but Mack is arguably worth it. The Raiders would have to at least consider this option.
Next: 49ers’ 2019 NFL Draft needs: Scouting Clemson’s defensive line
If none of these options seem appealing, don’t worry. Next year’s draft is loaded with pass-rushers.