Raiders Khalil Mack named top NFL player under 25 by ESPN

Earlier this offseason, Fox Sports put out their list of the top 25 players at 25 or younger. Shockingly Raiders dominating pass rusher Khail Mack was not on that list. ESPN didn't make the same mistake. Not only is Mack on their list, he tops that list which was put together by Mel Kiper and Mike Sando.

Here is what they had to say about Mack:

Jack Del Rio's move from Denver to Oakland naturally has generated talk about Mack becoming a Von Miller-type playmaker. Mack actually edged Miller for the top spot in Pro Football Focus' grading for 4-3 outside linebackers last season, largely due to his strength in defending the run. Mack's sack total should rise from four last season: He had 40 hurries, according to PFF's charting -- seven fewer than Miller had and more than triple the total of any other 4-3 outside linebacker.

This is where Mack belongs on this list. Granted ESPN has Mack's dominating preseason performances to help with their choice, Mack also looked like a lock for this list based on last season. It makes the Fox Sports list which didn't have Mack on it all the more laughable.

That previous list was ridiculous at the time and it wasn't just because Mack wasn't on it. It was also because guys like Robert Griffin III (who was just demoted and Washington has been trying to trade) was on the list. It also has several of Mack's fellow 2014 rookies including Teddy Bridgewater, Kelvin Benjamin, Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr, C.J. Mosley, Zack Martin, Jeremy Hill, and Aaron Donald on it. But no Mack. Unfortunately no author takes credit for that list.

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