against the Chargers . Veteran Michael Crabtree has quietly put together a solid season as defenses often look to the other side to contain Cooper . The former first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2009 , Crabtree ’ s second season in Oakland has started with five touchdowns , including a three-touchdown game in Week 4 against the Ravens . Pay too much attention to Cooper , and Crabtree will make a defense pay .
PASS RUSHERS
Jaguars third-round draft pick Yannick Ngakoue collected his fourth sack last week in the win over the Bears , and leads the team in the category . Second-year defensive end Dante Fowler Jr . has 13 tackles and two sacks for the season , his first season on the field after suffering a knee injury prior to his rookie campaign . While the outside rush gets the glamour , the inside rush is where the Jaguars continue to improve . Free-agent acquisition Malik Jackson is playing at a high level , along with veteran Sen ’ Derrick Marks and rookie fourth-round pick Sheldon Day . The inside push has helped the overall harassment of the quarterback , including a six-sack game for the Jaguars in the Week 4 win over the Colts .
Do not let the two-sack total for Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack fool you . The 2014 first-round pick ( fifth overall ) has the ability and drive to disrupt and take over a game from the edge . So far in 2016 he is off his 2015 pace with only 2.0 sacks , but is always a snap away from getting back to form . On the other side , 2016 second-round pick Jihad Ward has yet to produce a sack , but has not played the position for long . In junior college , he switched from wide receiver / safety to defensive line before finishing his college career at Illinois . Once he gains more experience at the position , Ward could be a great bookend to Mack on the Raiders defensive line .
LINEBACKERS
Jaguars second-round pick Myles Jack has started the last two weeks at the Otto linebacker position , the strong-side spot . Jack has flashed his speed and athleticism early , and has proven that he belongs on the field in some capacity . Finding a role for Jack has been challenging , partly because of the play of weak-side linebacker Telvin Smith . The third-year player out of Florida State has a
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