Raiders Defense: How Malcolm Koonce\u2019s Return Strengthens the Unit<\/p>\n
Defensive end is set to form a dynamic duo with Maxx Crosby, creating a potent edge rush combination.<\/p>\n
Ray Aspuria has been contributing features and columns for Silver and Black Pride since 2022.<\/p>\n
The defensive end depth chart for the Las Vegas Raiders is no longer uncertain now that Malcolm Koonce is back in the fold.<\/p>\n
The 26-year-old signed a one-year, $12 million contract to return to the Silver & Black on Monday, securing an emerging player\u2019s place for the future.<\/p>\n
Koonce\u2019s return eliminates any doubt about who will start alongside elite edge rusher Maxx Crosby.<\/p>\n
However, there\u2019s a major question \u2014 can Koonce regain his previous form after recovering from a torn ACL? Despite this, the Buffalo product was expected to be a dominant pass rusher, especially after an impressive eight-sack 2023 season.<\/p>\n
The value of Koonce\u2019s one-year deal with the Raiders reflects how highly Las Vegas views the fourth-year pass rusher. It’s a prove-it contract, which offers Koonce the potential for a significant pay increase in 2025 and could lead to another payday next offseason if he proves he can be a consistent sack threat.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not really focused on that. I\u2019m more just focused on getting healthy, trying to just be the best Malcolm I can be, and that\u2019s pretty much it,\u201d Koonce said when asked if he sees the one-year deal as a prove-it type, during his press conference this past Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Koonce\u2019s return strengthens Patrick Graham\u2019s defense as it gives Crosby a true partner on the other end. Last season, the Las Vegas defense faced a slew of injuries, including Koonce\u2019s, which forced backups like Tyree Wilson and free-agent signings like K\u2019Lavon Chaisson into starting roles and significant playing time.<\/p>\n
For instance, Wilson played 525 snaps, while Chaisson logged 508 snaps. Wilson contributed 27 tackles, six tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 10 quarterback hits, while Chaisson recorded 32 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, and eight quarterback hits. Wilson is heading into a pivotal Year 3, while Chaisson signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots, joining other former Raiders.<\/p>\n
Koonce\u2019s full recovery allows Graham to field a consistent pass rusher alongside Crosby and an effective run defender as well. Koonce mentioned that the chance to play for new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, as well as working with Graham again, played a significant role in his decision to return to Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s a big part,\u201d Koonce said when asked about re-signing with the Raiders. \u201cEspecially somebody like Pete Carroll, he\u2019s a legend of a coach, so who doesn\u2019t want to be around him? And then Pat (Patrick Graham), has kind of seen me grow into the player that I am, so I\u2019m very comfortable around him, comfortable in the system, and it\u2019s always great to be around guys that believe in you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crosby, who recently signed a lucrative three-year, $106.5 million extension, has high confidence in Koonce. Crosby spoke highly of his fellow defensive end on the Let\u2019s Go Podcast with Jim Gray.<\/p>\n
\u201cMalcolm Koonce, I\u2019m telling you, this guy I\u2019ve seen him since he was a pup when he first got in the league \u2014 another Mid-American Conference guy,\u201d Crosby shared, \u201cHe is quiet, cool, collected and confident as hell. And he\u2019s learned how to work so I don\u2019t have to sit there and say nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although we didn\u2019t see Koonce play in 2024 due to the knee injury he sustained before the season opener, it\u2019s hard to overlook the production he had in the final four weeks of the 2023 season, when he posted six of his eight sacks.<\/p>\n
According to Pro Football Reference, Wilson had 17 pressures last season, while Chaisson totaled 10. In the last time Koonce played fully healthy, he generated 23 pressures in 2023 alone. Such individual performance is invaluable and helps ease the workload on Crosby.<\/p>\n
With Koonce back in the fold \u2014 alongside defensive tackle Adam Butler, who re-signed, and a healthy Christian Wilkins \u2014 the Raiders’ defensive line is poised to be a dominant force under Graham and defensive line coach Rob Leonard. The Raiders now have a clear starter in Koonce, allowing Wilson to continue his development.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the sky\u2019s the limit for us. I think that all we got to do is just take it one step at a time, one game at a time, and that\u2019s it,\u201d Koonce concluded. \u201cJust be true to ourselves and play how we know we can play.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Raiders Defense: How Malcolm Koonce\u2019s Return Strengthens the Unit Defensive end is set to form a dynamic duo with Maxx Crosby, creating a potent edge rush combination. Ray Aspuria has been contributing features and columns for Silver and Black Pride since 2022. The defensive end depth chart for the Las Vegas Raiders is no longer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28317,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[397],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28315","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-las-vegas-raiders"],"yoast_head":"\n