ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler published the third edition of his annual positional rankings, based on voting from anonymous NFL executives, coaches, and scouts to determine the placements. This set of rankings was on the NFL’s top 10 edge rushers, with the predictable crew at the top, including Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, and Micah Parsons.
The piece became more interesting as the rankings unfolded, but one of the most noticeable omissions was Khalil Mack of the Los Angeles Chargers. Mack was ranked as an honorable mention this year and has been since 2022, when he was ranked 9th.
Although it’s widely accepted that Mack is past his prime, he remains a valuable edge defender. His diverse skill set is a key asset that many teams sought to add to their roster this offseason, as reflected by the high-value deal he signed to stay with the Chargers.
That being said, was Mack snubbed?
Khalil Mack
Oct 21, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) pursues Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during the first half at State Farm Stadium.
© Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Regular counting stats don’t support the notion that Mack should be considered a top 10 edge rusher. According to Pro Football Focus, Mack ranked 33rd in sacks, 22nd in QB hurries, and 26th in pressures. If you look on paper, Mack has a weak case for the honorable mentions list, let alone a top 10 spot.
Looking at his impact on the field is a different story, however. PFF gave Mack top marks for his performance in the 2024 season, with the fifth-best grade in the league at his position at 90.4. Mack’s pass rush grade was a 79.9 (16th), and his run defense grade was an 88.0, the second highest in the NFL.
While he might not have all of the speed he displayed during his dominant run from 2015-2018, Mack remains one of the league's strongest edge rushers at age 34. That’s evident in the clip below, where Mack sticks a paw into the chest of Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller and runs him back into Gardner Minshew.
While Mack’s strength has always been his strong suit, his speed and instincts are still excellent as well, helping him get into the backfield and create chaos, as shown below against the Browns in Week 9.
Ultimately, Mack’s absence from the NFL’s top 10 list isn’t surprising. He’s entering his age-34 season, and the stats suggest he may not be among the elite at his position. However, when considering his on-field performance and PFF grading, the idea that he deserves a top 10 ranking becomes much more plausible. While some NFL brass might overlook him in the rankings, Mack certainly still has a case to be considered among the top players at his position.