Malcolm

Koonce

Koonce was injured one day before the 2024 season kicked off, though no official word had been given as to whether he could return this year. Koonce’s 52 quarterback pressures and 8.0 NFL sacks in 2023 trailed only Maxx Crosby among Raiders defenders. It delivers a significant blow to the Raiders 2024 season.

Not listed on the team’s injury report this week, Koonce’s absence is something of a stunner for a Raiders defense that will require all hands on deck to slow down Joe Burrow and company. Koonce being inactive is a slight upgrade for Joe Mixon too. DE Carl Nassib will replace Koonce on the Vegas defensive line.

Koonce (6'2/249) was the last of Las Vegas’ rookies to sign his four-year deal. He was a core rotational player for his first two years on campus before starting all nineteen of the team’s games over the last two seasons, earning first team All-MAC recognition and leading the conference in both 2019 and 2020 with a total of 17.5 sacks. He is at his best when utilizing his quickness and ability to slip blocks and make plays in the backfield; adept at using his hands to get free on the rush, and accelerates to the ball. Size will be an impediment, as he lacks the power to take on NFL caliber lineman in the run game. Koonce will push for third-down snaps behind Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby as a rookie.

Koonce (6'2/249) wasn’t on scouting radars coming out of high school so he opted to attend Milford Academy for a year to boost his profile. It worked, as the Peekskill, NY native caught the eye of Buffalo HC Lance Leipold who extended a scholarship offer to him. He was a core rotational player for his first two years on campus before starting all nineteen of the team’s games over the last two seasons, earning first team All-MAC recognition and leading the conference in both 2019 and 2020 with a total of 17.5 sacks. He is at his best when utilizing his quickness and ability to slip blocks and make plays in the backfield; adept at using his hands to get free on the rush, and accelerates to the ball. Size will be an impediment, as he lacks the power to take on NFL caliber lineman in the run game. Koonce will push for third-down snaps behind Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby as a rookie.

Koonce (6'3/250) Through his first three seasons of play, Koonce improved his sack total each year. He started with just one as a freshman, then three as a sophomore, then had a breakout 2019 junior season with nine. This year’s delayed, short season has not allowed him the same chance to continue the trend, but he still has three sacks through a handful of games this year. At 6-foot-3 and 250-pounds, Koonce has good size for the position and earned a top-15 pass-rush grade per Pro Football Focus last season.

Through his first three seasons of play, Koonce improved his sack total each year. He started with just one as a freshman, then three as a sophomore, then had a breakout 2019 junior season with nine. This year’s delayed, short season has not allowed him the same chance to continue the trend, but he still has three sacks through a handful of games this year. At 6-foot-3 and 250-pounds, Koonce has good size for the position and earned a top-15 pass-rush grade per Pro Football Focus last season. He is likely a Day 3 prospect, but perhaps he could move up boards with a good showing in Mobile.

Koonce is the second member of the Bulls to make this list, joining Taylor Riggins, who ranked fourth. Treash believes that Koonce and Riggins give Buffalo the best pair of rushers off the edge in college football. “Koonce first earned the starting nod in 2019 and ended up earning a PFF pass-rush grade that ranked 14th at his position along with a 24.1% pass-rush win rate, the highest figure among returning edge defenders,” he writes. Assuming he is just as good -- if not better -- in 2020, Koonce is likely to get NFL looks.