Mack runs 4.53-4.55

Khalil Mack improved upon his 4.65 40 time at the NFL Combine. (Getty Images)

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Buffalo outside linebacker Khalil Mack ran handheld times of 4.53-4.55 seconds at the school's pro day workout Tuesday with more than 20 teams represented, including two teams with picks in the top five.

Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine and Buffalo Bills general manager Kevin Whaley were on hand for Mack's morning workout during which he improved dramatically on a 4.65 "official" time in the 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine.

At 4.53, Mack (6-3, 251), matched the wow-provoking 40 time of Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina's defensive end and NFLDraftScout.com's top-ranked player in the 2014 draft.

Because of minor hamstring tightness, Mack did not run a second 40 on Tuesday. Mack's game is his cannon-fire get-off, twitchy explosiveness and the combination on speed and strength to finish plays and get home.

Production, albeit at the MAC level, is not a question with Mack as it is with Clowney, one reason NFLDraftScout's Rob Rang reported in January that scouts felt the Buffalo pass rusher was a legitimate option for the top overall pick.

Mack set school records for sacks (28.5) and FBS marks for tackles for loss (75) and forced fumbles (16).

Pettine, who was defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills last season, said last week he was eager to get a look at Mack but had not had occasion to do so while in the region last year.

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Patriots WR Aaron Dobson might need foot surgery



Aaron Dobson's left foot is still barking at him months after he first injured it. According to the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe, Dobson has been told to rest his foot, which has impacted his offseason training regimen somewhat. The team's medical staff is keeping an eye on him, and it will decide in about two weeks whether the rest was sufficient to let the foot heal or if Dobson needs surgery.Howe said, via a source, "It's unclear how long the recovery period would be, but it sounds unlikely [Dobson would] be cleared in time for the April 21 launch of the Patriots' offseason program if he needs the procedure."Dobson said his foot started bothering him in October. Then during Week 12, he developed a significant injury in the foot and missed the following four games. He re-aggravated the injury in Week 17, which forced him to miss the team's divisional round playoff game. Dobson was active for the AFC Championship, but caught just two passes on three targets for 33 yards.



An operation, given that Howe's timetable is correct, won't crush Dobson's growth as a player or potential as a 2014 fantasy breakout. The Patriots just need to make sure that surgery, if needed, will cure what ails him once and for all. We'll keep you updated on Dobson's progress and any future physical setbacks he might encounter. For now, he is a big-time sleeper/value pick.