Khalil Mack might be the best defensive player in football, but not everyone was sold on Mack coming out of college.
Among Mack’s doubters, relatively speaking, in 2014 was none other than Jon Gruden, who thought the Raiders should have drafted a quarterback with the pick they used on Mack.
”I’m still shocked they didn’t pick a quarterback,” said Gruden of the Raiders at the time, adding that Mack reminded him of Sio Moore.
Gruden thought the Raiders should have drafted Johnny Manziel, instead.
The Raiders ended up getting Derek Carr in the second round and Gabe Jackson in the third – rounding out what will probably the highest paid draft class the league has ever seen.
In hindsight, Gruden’s assessment of Mack isn’t particularly encouraging and neither was his assessment of Manziel.
All things considered, maybe it will be in his best interest for Gruden to defer to Reggie McKenzie when possible on draft day.
McKenzie, its worth noting, was offered a trade for the fifth pick he used on Mack.
Good thing he didn’t bite.
twitter: @raidersbeat
This is exactly my fear when you see people celebrating Gruden running the draft. Let him coach, he’s good at that. But he should not have final say on players. Just ask the Buccaneers. No question big Reg has to step it up but I still prefer him with Grudens input making the pick.
Agree!!