It’s not a question of if Khalil Mack will land on NFL Network’s “Top 100 Players of 2019,” but rather how high will he rank?
While names like Aaron Donald and Patrick Mahomes are two candidates that will vie for the top spot, and rightfully so, at the very least Mack should be somewhere in the top five.
For perspective, Mack ranked No. 16 on last year’s list and No. 5 in 2017. Given Mack’s dominance last season — and being on arguably the best defense in the NFL — that should also add a boost to his ranking.
“He’s unbelievable,” Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans said in a teaser about the show, which premieres Monday. “The way that he can just change a game by his presence. Even if he’s not having a big-stat game, he’s affecting the game by his presence.”
That’s something that can get lost in stats. Even when Mack’s not putting up big-stat games, he’s impacting the game significantly, drawing double or triple teams and allowing edge rushers like Leonard Floyd to benefit, as a result.
Matt Nagy knows firsthand what it’s like to game-plan for Mack, noting that they used a specific game plan just for him when he was in Kansas City. Evans knows as well.
“We definitely try to double- or triple-team him as much as possible,” Evans said. “We always try to get chip help. It’s real fun to watch him. I hate playing against him ’cause there’s not much I can do about it. I’m a receiver. He’s an unbelievable talent. Unbelievable player.”
Mack is the kind of player that makes everyone around him better. Along with his ability as a football player, it’s what makes him respected in this league.
So where will Mack land on the “Top 100 Players of 2019” list? Top 10? Top five? Top three?
You’ll have to tune to NFL Network beginning Monday to find out.
