Mack: Raiders' defense can be as good as Broncos'

A productive offseason has the Oakland Raiders' defense setting its sights on a place among the NFL's elite.

Asked whether the new-look unit can reach the level of last year's top-ranked Denver Broncos defense, star pass-rusher Khalil Mack suggested that the Raiders now have the same potential.

"Most definitely," Mack told Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports. "If you look at that Broncos defense, they're one of the best defenses in NFL history last year. They did a lot to make the quarterback uncomfortable. We can do those types of things and still put our own little twist on it. We can be that good.

"You want it to happen right away, but we have to know that coming together takes time. We have the talent now, and we can disrupt the way they do and be that dominant if we max out and put it all together."

Though it remains to be seen whether the unit can indeed jell in short order, the pieces are certainly now in place to take another substantial step in the right direction.

Linebacker Bruce Irvin, cornerback Sean Smith, and safety Reggie Nelson - each added as part of an impressive free-agent haul - immediately provide upgrades at key spots in the starting lineup.

First-round rookie Karl Joseph should step into a role alongside Nelson when recovered from his knee injury, and the additions of second-round pick Jihad Ward and third-round pick Shilique Calhoun could bolster a suddenly deep defensive line rotation.

Mack, of course, remains the key to the unit's success overall. The 25-year-old established himself as one of the NFL's most dominant defenders in just his second season after joining the Raiders as a first-round pick, racking up 15 sacks to earn All-Pro honors at both defensive end and linebacker.

With a young offense also on the rise, the can Raiders push for a playoff spot as early as this year if the defense makes the most of the talent in place.