Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that the San Francisco 49ers are among the teams "fully exploring" the possibility of trading for Oakland Raiders pass rusher Khalil Mack. The other teams that he lists are the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packer, Cleveland Browns, and Chicago Bears.
Add the 49ers to the group of team's fully exploring the possibility of a Khalil Mack trade, along with NYJ, BUF, IND, GB, CLE, CHI
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) September 1, 2018
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported on Sunday that four teams are very seriously exploring the possibility of trading for the Raiders defensive end.
NFL teams have legit begun jockeying for position to try to land Khalil Mack via trade. At this point I will be far more surprised if he is not moved than if he is dealt
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) September 1, 2018
Mack is entering his fifth NFL season. The pass rush specialist has racked up 40.5 sacks since being drafted by the Raiders with the fifth overall pick in 2014. He has also registered 304 combined tackles, 11 passes defensed, an interception, a touchdown, and nine forced fumbles.
Mack, who was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2016, has been a Pro Bowl selection during each of the past three seasons and is a two-time first-team All-Pro (2015, 2016).
The 49ers are in need of an elite pass rusher. The San Francisco defense ranked 26th in the NFL last year in sacks with 30 and has enough salary cap space to sign the disgruntled defensive end to the type of multi-year deal that he desires. The Raiders, however, have about $7 million in cap space.
Oakland continues to state that it is not pursuing a trade involving Mack, but if it were, the price would reportedly be two first-round picks. With multiple teams interested, it is at least willing to listen to offers.
With less than 24 hrs to go before the cut-down day deadline, the trade market for #Raiders star pass-rusher Khalil Mack is robust, I'm told. There are enough teams interested where the chances of Mack being traded is very real. Oakland is gauging and listening. Tune in tomorrow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 1, 2018
H/t to Patrick Tulini for the find.
