The Chicago Bears didn’t move up or down in the first round, but still landed one of the draft’s best defensive prospect. So let’s take some time to get to know the next great Bears linebacker.
THE PICK (ROUND 1, PICK 24)
Name: Khalil Mack
College: Buffalo
Position: Edge defender
Age: 28
Height, weight, hand size, arms: 6-foot-3, 252 pounds
2018 accomplishments: First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Defensive Player of the Month (September 2018)
HIGHLIGHTS
THREE STRENGTHS
Elite pass-rush ability. Mack has all the tools (and the proper toolbox) of a high-end pass-rusher. He uses power, speed, and then combines the two to make offensive linemen attempting to block them look silly.
Top-notch athleticism. Not only is Mack toolsy, he possesses the athletic ability to make those tools jump off the page. Mack can make plays from one sideline to another and has coverage range, just in case the defensive coordinator wants to get fancy and toss in a wrinkle that can throw off an opposing offense.
High football IQ and instincts. There are times when it feels like Mack knows what play is coming and is there before a ball-carrier gets to the spot. And there are occasions when it feels like Mack knows he needs to make a play and just does it. Mack’s ability to come up with a strip-sack in crunch time is a thing of beauty
WHERE MACK FITS
Have you seen this defense? Mack can fit wherever he pleases. Mack was a certified bad-ass in 2018 as he racked up 12.5 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, 10 tackles-for-loss, 6 forced fumbles (2 recoveries), and one pick-six. Mack earned the second-highest grade among edge rushers at Pro Football Focus (90.7) and was one of a handful of Bears defenders to check in on PFF’s list of 101 best players. If there was something on the defensive side of the ball to be done in 2018, Mack did it … and in style.
Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.
If the Chicago Bears end up drafting Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, I imagine this tweet from Tom Pelissero is going to get a ton of engagement: https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1782905425689522654 In fairness, it already has gotten all sorts of clicks. But that...
Draft Day is finally here! We've taken quite a few cracks at what the first round could look like, and this will be the last one before the NFL Draft kicks off tonight! It still feels like a really unpredictable...
The 2024 NFL Draft begins TODAY. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....
The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....
The Chicago Bears drafting Caleb Williams with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is a foregone conclusion. However, what happens with the Bears' other first-round pick is anything but a lock. One name we haven't discussed much as...
Today is the day we've been waiting for since the NFL regular season ended. It's NFL Draft Day! The Chicago Bears have the first pick. Unless something unexpected happens, it'll be USC quarterback Caleb Williams getting the nod. Now that...
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is hard at work today! It's fitting that just a day before the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit, the Lions have locked up two franchise, homegrown cornerstones just hours apart. This morning,...
The Chicago Bears unveiled plans for their downtown lakefront stadium proposal on Wednesday. And as you might expect, it is very kind on the eyes: https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1783185834490888461 The Bears even gave the project a code name — The Burnham Park Project: The...
We have a new highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL! According to a report from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Lions have made Amon-Ra St. Brown the richest wideout in the NFL with a four-year, $120 million contract extension...
The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....
The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2024 offseason with the familiar feeling of championship aspirations. Dak Prescott is healthy, the skill positions are loaded, but the offensive line, once a strength, is in flux. With the 24th overall pick in the...
With the invigorating spirit of a new baseball season upon us, igniting hope and anticipation within fan communities, it's the perfect time to embark on a unique exploration: a 2024 MLB Mock Draft. Numerous mock drafts meticulously analyze potential player...
The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks are playing in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, with Game 3 up next.The Knicks beat the 76ers 104-101 on Monday when they last met. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks in the...
At 7:00 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic, with Donovan Mitchell needing four trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Donovan Mitchell's Three-Pointer Prop...
On Thursday at 7:00 PM ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Orlando Magic in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Caris LeVert's 3-pointer over/under for this matchup requires just one trey.Caris LeVert's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...
To beat his 3-point prop, Josh Hart needs to make two from downtown on Thursday, when his New York Knicks meet the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, tipping off at 7:30 PM...
The New York Knicks face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Knicks' Jalen Brunson drains three 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.Jalen Brunson's Three-Pointer...
To beat his 3-point over/under, Donte DiVincenzo needs to make four from downtown on Thursday, when his New York Knicks play the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, beginning at 7:30 PM ET.Donte...
To beat his 3-point prop, Joel Embiid needs to make two from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Philadelphia 76ers meet the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, starting at 7:30...
The Philadelphia 76ers play the New York Knicks at 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires four trifectas from Tyrese...
NEWSLETTER
