The Las Vegas Raiders will enter the offseason with plenty of questions.
With several holes on the roster due to either expiring contracts or simply needing an upgrade, the Raiders figure to invest heavily in free agency and the draft to address key positions.
One of the major questions that will be asked of the Raiders is who will be rushing the passer next to defensive end Maxx Crosby, and the answer might already be on their roster.
Edge rusher Malcolm Koonce looked on pace to cement himself opposite Crosby for the Raiders. The 26-year-old put together a career year in 2023 with eight sacks, 43 tackles, and 17 quarterback hits. He was widely regarded as a breakout player in 2024, as well as someone the Raiders would have to pay handsomely when his rookie contract expired after the season.
Unfortunately for Koonce and the Raiders, he suffered a season-ending knee injury days before the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. The promise surrounding Koonce after 2023 would have to remain unfulfilled.
Despite the lost season, Koonce figures to attract a fair amount of attention on the open market when he becomes a free agent this upcoming spring. While his stock will be lowered due to the injury, teams understand that young players with a track record of success at premium positions are hard to come by, and that will work in Koonce’s favor during negotiations.
According to Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department, the Raiders should do everything they can to ensure Koonce remains in silver and black beyond this season.
“Koonce’s free-agent market should be interesting. He’s a young player with upside at a premium position,” said AFC scout Alex Ballentine. “The Raiders should probably do what they can to make sure it doesn’t come to that. The contract offer should have some projections based on his health, but the Silver and Black would be wise to extend the pass-rusher before he hits the market.”
Barring a return from Koonce, the Raiders have some other options at their disposal. They could rely on 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson to emerge down the stretch this season, but his two sacks in eleven games leave a lot to be desired. The Raiders will also do their homework on external pass-rushing options in free agency and the draft, but other needs could take prominence.
Koonce returning to the Raiders in 2025 makes sense for player and team, but the price has to be reasonable. If rumblings of increased interest suggest Koonce could earn a larger payday elsewhere, it could spell trouble for the Raiders.
