Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen has expressed his belief that new linebacker Khalil Mack will "have an impact" on the team next season.
The Raiders chose Mack with the fifth overall pick on the opening day of the 2014 NFL Draft yesterday, adding a pass-rusher to a defense that managed a league-low 12 sacks last season.
The 23-year-old former Buffalo Bills star is expected to go straight into the team, and Allen acknowledged that he would certainly play a part during the 2014 campaign.
"The thing that really was attractive about Khalil Mack was the fact that he understands how to rush the passer, and he understands how to rush the passer with power," Allen told reporters.
"When we started this process, we were totally clear that we wanted to add some impact players to our football team. This is an impact player. This guy will have an impact on our football team for the 2014 season. There's no question about that.
"As we continued to go throughout the process, we fell more in love with the player every time we had an exposure to him."
The Raiders, who finished last season with a 4-12 record, will kick off their 2014 campaign away to the New York Jets on September 7.
Barney Corkhill
