Las Vegas Raiders

Khalil Mack to have his hand in the dirt a lot more in 2015

Published Jun. 15, 2015 11:36 p.m. ET

foxsports

Khalil Mack was put in a weird hybrid role last year for the Raiders.

This year, Jack Del Rio is putting his star rusher where he'll succeed most -- with his hand in the dirt as a 4-3 defensive end.

Mack downplayed the shift, telling Silver and Black Pride he'll be used "the same." But according to that same blog, Mack was deployed more as a traditional end and less as a standup linebacker throughout workouts so far.

That could have more to do with Oakland's scheme and less to do with Mack himself. Adding players like Dan Williams and rookie Mario Edwards Jr. could help fill any hybrid roles Del Rio wants to show in any odd-man fronts.

Mack said he still plans on dropping back into coverage in 2015. But Del Rio and his staff expect a big jump in sack totals from the second-year star, and putting him at 4-3 end could help him hit new highs.

(h/t Silver and Black Pride)