Carr predicts Mack will record 30 sacks in 2017

Derek Carr has every reason to be supremely confident in teammate Khalil Mack, but this is taking it pretty far.

Mack earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2016, recording 73 tackles, 11 sacks, five forced fumbles, and an interception while steering the Raiders to their first playoff appearance since 2002. Entering his fourth year, there's reason to believe Mack is still improving.

Prior to the 2016 season, Carr predicted Mack would record 30 sacks over the course of the campaign. That would have shattered Michael Strahan's record of 22.5, set in 2001.

Undeterred by Mack's 2016 sack total, Carr made the same prediction about his teammate's 2017 season in a Wednesday appearance on "Mad Dog Radio" with Adam Schein.

"I'm still sticking with my 30 number. Because we know this is going to blow up, I'm gonna say 30," Carr said, according to NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "That's if he doesn't get held ... if they start calling the holdings, if they start calling them like they should - I'm saying 30."

Mack has 30 career sacks through three seasons. While it's highly unlikely he matches that in one season, he should remain among the top defenders in the NFL, and a veritable nightmare for opposing tackles.