As the NFL Network continues its countdown of the top 100 palyers of 2015, the Oakland Raiders were able to add their second member to the list with rookie linebacker Khalil Mack coming in at number 49. Making him the second highest ranked rookie on the list and someone players around the league seem to have high regards for even at his young age.

Mack came into last season as the 5th overall pick in the draft and brought a ton of expectations with him. Now with this number 49 player ranking it seems as though Mack not only met expectations, but far exceeded them. He finished the 2014 season with 75 combined tackles to go along with 4 sacks and 1 forced fumble, but the stats alone do not reflect the major impact that Mack had on the field.

In the reaction show following the revealing of players 50-41 on the top 100 list, Cortland Finnegan put in perspective Khalil Mack’s impact on the field and how he’ll help others around him going into next season.

“…He’s getting double teamed, they’re gonna put a tight end to his side and they’re gonna chip him with a running back. And somebody else is gonna get off, so you know someone may benefit just from him (Mack) having the dominant year he had this year.”

There is no doubting the talent Khalil brings to the table, the ability to play the run and the pass. Being a stand up sam linebacker and then moving to a base defensive end the next play is versatity that you cannot always find in this league. The ability to excel at both is what has players and anaylsts raving about his ability. Pro football focus even ranked Mack as the top 4-3 outside linebacker in the league, beating out Denver’s Von Miller. Head Coach Jack Del Rio who coached Von Miller the last three years in Denver as the defensive coordinator gave his comparison of the two players:

“I think Khalil is way more physical than Von,” said Del Rio. “Von got up to somewhere around 250 pounds when I had him but he’s naturally closer to 240. Khalil can be up around 260 or 265 and they both play that strongside linebacker position and sub-pass-rusher role. Since most teams use their sub packages for two-thirds of the game, there will be some opportunities there. They’re different but they’re both special.”

Now with Ken Norton Jr. coming in as the new defensive coordinator, there is a chance for Mack to take his game to an even higher level in the 2015. Both Norton and Del Rio want to see Mack produce much more in the pass rush and help Oakland improve on its 22 sacks from last year, which was second worst in the league. Mack knows he can do better as a pass rusher and plans to show it.

“I definitely want to get after the quarterback more this year,” said Mack, per ESPN.com. “I got some hits (in 2014), but people didn’t really see what I can do. Those sack numbers I had (four total) really weren’t me. At the end of the day, you want people to see you at your best.”

It will be very exciting to see what Khalil Mack is able to do in his sophmore campaign. If he is able to get into that double digit sack category, to go along with everything else he is bringing to the table we may see him rise even higher on the top 100 player list next summer.