© Cary Edmondson | 2017 Dec 17
Oakland star linebacker Khalil Mack has yet to report to Raiders training camp, as part of a holdout for a new deal.
Though nobody is quite sure how long the stalemate will last, it seems unlikely that the Raiders would be willing to part with the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year as he enters just his fifth season in the league. Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report says that there is a “20 to 30 percent chance and increasing every day” that the Raiders will deal Mack, however, which should perk ears up around the league.
On Wednesday afternoon, Gary & Larry asked 49ers beat writer Matt Maiocco if the Niners would be interested in trading for Mack, assuming the Raiders put him on the block. Maiocco said not only should they be, but that they should be reaching out to Oakland now to see what he’d cost.
“I don’t see why not, he would be perfect,” Maiocco said of Mack. “I think at the very least if that’s the word out there, or even if it’s not the word out there, I think the 49ers would be wise to at least make a phone call and see what it’s going to take, and then kind of assess from there whether it makes sense for them, while also realizing what kind of contract it’s going to take to carry through with that deal. I mean if Khalil Mack isn’t happy with the contract he has with the Raiders, then he’s going to want something from any team that’s going to be willing to trade for him.”
Maiocco also believes that DeForest Buckner — who he called the 49ers’ best player — will be the key to the team’s pass rush this season.
“I think the one guy that you did not mention, who probably carries more weight in the pass rush than anybody else on the 49ers, and that would be DeForest Buckner. They’re looking for ways to move him around. I think he’s not only their best defensive player, I think he’s their best player period. He only had three sacks last season, but he’s a dynamic player, he’s a strong guy. They want to line him up inside but they’re also trying to work him, see if he might find some mismatches or can bring something to that defense as an edge rusher too.
“The hope would be that the sacks start rolling out for him, and that opens things up for other guys. To me clearly, DeForest Buckner is the main cog in that 49ers defense and the pass rush.”
Listen to the full interview below. To hear Maiocco on Mack, start from 8:00.