The Raiders know they're up to something big defensively. And they're not afraid to let everyone know about it — especially their hated AFC West rivals.

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Denver is the reigining Super Bowl champion because it boasts the NFL's current most dominant defense. Oakland's best defender stirred it up this week by suggesting his team could be just as good very soon.

"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," linebacker Khalil Mack told Yahoo! Sports' Shutdown Corner this week. "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."

Of course, once the Raiders got hold of this, they wasted no time in overhyping Mack's comments and taking a shot at the Broncos at the same time.

The @Broncos D?

It currently rules the AFC West.



"We can disrupt the way they do." https://t.co/NMmd6iB7CE pic.twitter.com/BbLpjKarS4 — NFL (@NFL) May 18, 2016

Although the Raiders needed to slow their roll in trolling the champs after finishing No. 22 in both scoring and total defense last season, Mack is astute to compare both attacks. In a copycat league with his team following the Broncos' blueprint, he should start to feel that confident.

It starts with Mack's incredible skills as both a disruptive pass rusher and devastating run defender. He's the Von Miller of Oakland, except that he's emerged as a better all-around player than Miller after only two seasons. As former NFL linebackers, coach Jack Del Rio and defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. have maximized Mack's versatility on the second level without compromising what he offers when lining up as a 4-3 end.

But if you've paid attention to the Raiders' fruitful offseason, there are a lot more reasons they're positioned for a Broncos-like jump:

Khalil Mack (Getty Images)

The revitalized line. The Raiders jumped from No. 22 to No. 13 in run defense last season, and although much was Mack's doing, it wouldn't have been possible without free-agent acquisiton Dan Williams dominating as a run-stuffing tackle. It was bolstered in the second half with rookie second-rounder Mario Edwards coming on strong at end. The team got great news early this month when Edwards was cleared to play again after the neck injury he suffered against the Packers in Week 15. He's kind of a "Mack Light" when playing end, a composite of what Malik Jackson (now out of Denver) and Derek Wolfe offered to complement Miller.

The revamped linebackers . When Bruce Irvin was signed away from the Seahawks, there was a misconception about him just padding the pass rush at the other outside spot. The reality is, Irvin devloped into a more complete player manning the strong side in Seattle. He'll boost a decent sack total (38, No. 14 in the league), but he can hold up to flank Mack in both run defense and coverage, too. Norton and Irvin worked together with the Seahawks, so he'll be put in the best position to make big plays one-on-one. While he can become the DeMarcus Ware to Mack's Miller, inside linebackers Malcolm Smith and Ben Heeney were good enough tor the team not to seek an upgrade this offseason. They're very active and energetic in getting upfield the way Danny Trevathan (now out of Denver) and Brandon Marshall have been.

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The redone secondary. The Raiders found a starting gem in David Amerson (6-1, 205), straight from Washington's scrap heap last season. HIs big mitts led to 25 passes defended, second in the league to only Kansas City defensive rookie of the year Marcus Peters. They stuck with the big corner theme in plucking Sean Smith (6-3, 218) away from the Chiefs. They should be a lot more active in making plays on the ball, a la Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. They replaced veteran Charles Woodson's ballhawking at free safety with Reggie Nelson, who only led the league with his eight interceptions. It would be surprising if the Raiders aren't a top-five team in interceptions this season. Rookie first-round pick Karl Joseph is the same type of extra linebacker firecracker that the Broncos enjoy with T.J. Ward at strong safety.

The hybrid scheme. The reason that Wade Phillips took the Broncos' defense that Del Rio had coordinated to an elite level was how he meshed their personnel ideal for his 3-4 scheme. The Raiders have base 4-3 roots in Del Rio and Norton, but found the right ways to become the most effective amoeba beyond toggling Mack. They have a lot more players to move around at every level going forward.

The sudden depth. Smith and Heeney give the Raiders good options in the middle. Holdovers T.J. Carrie and Nate Allen are valuable as a nickel back and backup safety, respectably, and will no longer be forced to do more than those roles. Rookies Jihad Ward and Shilique Calhoun will get chances to contribute in the front seven. This was an underrated part of the Broncos' defense, as players such as Vance Walker, Shaquille Barrett, Bradley Roby, Omar Bolden and David Bruton all delivered in key playing time behind the first string. The Raiders have been in a rut trying to find capable starters, but now that they have them, their backup talent got a big bump, too.

The Raiders have a lot of youth and are working in four new starters in their back seven around and behind Mack. So it will take some time before Del Rio and Norton see the huge improvement to close the gap between them and the Broncos.

Mack was more talking about his team's makeup, and there's no question the Raiders should be excited with the path they already have paved toward eventual defensive dominance.