Following a dominant campaign in 2016, Oakland Raiders edge rusher Khalil Mack has been named the AP Defensive Player of the Year.
Khalil Mack was downright dominant in 2016, and was well deserving of the AP Defensive Player of the Year award. Which is exactly what happened Saturday evening.
MACK ATTACK!
Congratulations @52Mack_!!
Defensive Player of the Year presented by @OldSpice. #NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/wNnZKT14RO— NFL (@NFL) February 5, 2017
Following a season in which he recorded 11 sacks and 5 forced fumbles — as well as his usual dominance in run support — Mack edged out Von Miller by just one vote for the honors.
How close was the Defensive Player of the Year voting? #Raiders' Khalil Mack beat out #Broncos' Von Miller by one vote. pic.twitter.com/aaTw7owSBx
— Jimmy Durkin (@Jimmy_Durkin) February 5, 2017
Mack became the first member of the Silver and Black to win the award since Lester Hayes did so in 1980.
Khalil Mack becomes the first Raider to win AP Defensive Player of the Year since Lester Hayes in 1980. pic.twitter.com/tjKCANiRTM
— Eddie Paskal (@EddiePaskal) February 5, 2017
While Mack may have not be the most statistically impressive candidate in consideration, the voters clearly understood his impact and disruption in games outside of the box score.
Mack also stepped as a “closer” of sorts for the defense, closing multiple games with a sack or a strip-sack. He also recorded his first career touchdown with a pick-six against the Carolina Panthers.
Best of Khalil Mack 2016 #Raiders pic.twitter.com/4jpHAtvLMC
— PJ (@oakposts) February 4, 2017
It’s a good bet that Khalil will make another run at this award next year. And the year after that. And the year after that. And the year after that. And the ye….
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