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San Francisco 49ers: Pros & Cons of trading for Raiders’ Khalil Mack

By Peter Panacy

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 13: Khalil Mack #52 of the Oakland Raiders looks on during the second half of their NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at O.co Coliseum on September 13, 2015 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 13: Khalil Mack #52 of the Oakland Raiders looks on during the second half of their NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at O.co Coliseum on September 13, 2015 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 7: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers ties to dodge linebacker Khalil Mack #52 of the Oakland Raiders on a sack for a loss of five yards in the fourth quarter on December 7, 2014 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 24-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 7: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers ties to dodge linebacker Khalil Mack #52 of the Oakland Raiders on a sack for a loss of five yards in the fourth quarter on December 7, 2014 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 24-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers need an elite pass-rusher, and there are swirls around suggesting the Oakland Raiders may trade Khalil Mack. How good an option would it be for the Niners?

Oakland Raiders EDGE Khalil Mack would immediately turn the San Francisco 49ers from a 2018 playoff hopeful into a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

If a deal ever took place, of course.

Mack’s relationship with the Raiders has been a subject of scrutiny this offseason, as he continues to hold out for a new contract in the fifth year of his rookie contract. Since it’s the fifth-year option, he would be set to receive his fully guaranteed $13.846 million for 2018. But he wants an extension. And considering the three-time Pro Bowler’s impressive accolades, it makes perfect sense why.

The Raiders may not be able to re-sign Mack to a new deal. Per Over the Cap, they have just over $2.26 million in available cap space. That will take a lot of wiggle room.

On top of that, Mack and head coach Jon Gruden have reportedly not spoken since Gruden accepted his current position.

So it’s no surprise there are rumors and speculation suggesting the Raiders should trade Mack.

Former Washington Redskins general manager Vinny Cerrato, appearing on San Francisco’s 95.7 The Game (h/t Marcus Mosher of Raiders Wire) thinks that’s what will eventually happen:

"My gut tells me that they’ll trade him and try to get some good draft picks for him. That’s what (my gut tells me) — especially if he holds out and especially if they’re doing well in the preseason and the defense is doing well."

Enough of Oakland’s problems. The question is whether the 49ers may actually be interested.

Well, they should be. For starters, head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad finished tied for 26th last year with a mere 30 sacks. And 6.5 of those came from veteran EDGE Elvis Dumervil, who is no longer with the team.

Mack, meanwhile, has averaged more than 12 sacks the last three seasons.

Still, going this route to address San Francisco’s outside edge-rush problem has its risks. And here are the pros and cons to the argument the Niners should make such a trade happen.