Del Rio: Khalil Mack Is Way More Physical Than Von Miller

Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack ranked one spot higher than the Broncos’ own Von Miller on Pro Football Focus’ 4-3 outside linebacker rankings last year, but mainly because of his stellar run defense. While Miller had a much higher grade in his pass rush (and rightfully so) Mack had one of the highest run defense grades in the entire NFL.

So, apparently, that leads Jack Del Rio to some salty comments like this one.

“I think Khalil is way more physical than Von,” said Del Rio. “Von got up to somewhere around 250 pounds when I had him but he’s naturally closer to 240. Khalil can be up around 260 or 265 and they both play that strongside linebacker position and sub-pass-rusher role. Since most teams use their sub packages for two-thirds of the game, there will be some opportunities there. They’re different but they’re both special.”

I guess this is what we get for saying that Wade Phillips is going to bring the heat a lot more than Del Rio, who was more vanilla than ice most of the time last year, especially in the playoffs when Andrew Luck threw all over the Broncos’ defense and Chris Harris Jr. wasn’t shadowing T.Y. Hilton.

We’ll get a couple of chances this year to see who the more physical team is, but Del Rio has already found himself on the bad graces of most Broncos fans after his comments that he’s always been a Raider at heart. If that’s the case, it’s no wonder the Broncos hit a wall at the end of the last couple seasons.

All joking aside, Del Rio’s belief about Miller might not be all that wrong, it’s just annoying to hear rivals talking about our star player in such a manner, especially when that rival was trying to ‘help’ your team win a Super Bowl five months ago.

Of course, Broncos fans could say Von Miller is way more explosive or a way better pass rusher, but we’re not over here doing that.

Stay classy, Jack.