Deal Khalil? Five best fits for Raiders defensive end

Needs, cap space, city make Bills potential spot

Rumors that Raiders star Khalil Mack could wind up on the trade block seem to be gathering steam, even though they’re also a natural byproduct of the all-pro defensive end’s contract impasse.

The NFL defensive player of the year in 2016 is due $13.8 million this season, the final one of his rookie contract. Like the Rams’ Aaron Donald, a fellow firstround pick of the 2014 draft, Mack was a no-show for offseason activities and has not reported to training camp, presumably seeking a deal that would make him the league’s first $20 milliona-year defender.

Neither the Raiders nor Mack’s agent responded when asked by USA TODAY for comment on his status. According to NFL Network, negotiations have been at a standstill for some time.

Mack is the guy on Oakland’s defense, though new coach Jon Gruden has noted the unit ranked 23rd last year despite Mack’s presence.

Still, Mack and quarterback Derek Carr are this franchise’s cornerstones with relocation to Las Vegas drawing ever closer.

Yet there are 31 other teams that would line up for a pass-rushing and run-stopping force still in his prime — Mack is 27 — who has proved interchangeable in three- or four-man fronts. If Mack truly is, ahem, available, here are five teams that could be especially compelling trade partners.

Bills: No one managed more than four sacks for them in 2017, the first in new coach Sean McDermott’s scheme. Mack would give this line needed juice while negotiating with a team that is projected to have more than $70 million in cap space in 2019 — second in the league, per Overthecap.com. And while many players regard Buffalo as NFL exile, Mack might be comfortable returning to a city where he was a collegiate superstar for four years.

Cowboys: Big D is on the opposite end of the spectrum from Buffalo when it comes to NFL visibility yet is also potentially an ideal destination. The Cowboys have roughly $50 million to spend next year, and Mack would be an upgrade over franchise-tagged DeMarcus Lawrence — or maybe even a bookend for what would be an imposing front if both players could be accommodated. Jerry Jones certainly isn’t afraid of making a splashy move and is always on the lookout for a “War Daddy.”

Packers: Outside linebacker Clay Matthews is entering the final year of his contract and hasn’t had a doubledigit season in the sack department since 2014. The Packers own two firstround picks in the 2019 draft — no other club can make that claim at present — which could enable general manager Brian Gutekunst to make an especially enticing offer. Gutekunst admitted last week that he’d be in touch with Raiders counterpart Reggie McKenzie as a matter of course and that players such as Mack make any hypothetical worth exploring. “We’re going to have conversations, especially with a player of that ability,” Gutekunst said.

Colts: They are set to have more than $60 million in free agency next year, own an extra second-round pick in 2019 and could conceivably float a firstrounder that will likely land much earlier in the pecking order than either of Green Bay’s (the Packers’ additional selection was obtained from the defending NFC South champion Saints). It would be a good opportunity for Mack to get paid, though he’d be the obvious alpha on a defense with so many unproven players.

Jets: GM Mike Maccagnan is currently slated to have more than $80 million at his disposal next year, most in the NFL. The Jets have sufficiently addressed (for now) their perennial problem at quarterback but have been almost as inept in recent years at finding an edge rusher who can bring the heat year after year. And with pressure mounting on Maccagnan to make this organization a contender, he’s also shown willingness to pull the trigger on a bold transaction.