Malcolm Koonce
25-Year-Old
2023 Defense Stats
TCKL
43
SACKS
8.0
INT
0
FF
3
TD
0
2024 Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
The Raiders will boast one of the best defensive lines in the league with a combination of Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins and Koonce. Koonce is the least well-known of the group and will benefit from the elite players around him, but he flashed a lot of upside of his own after Antonio Pierce took over as head coach in Las Vegas and seemingly identified him as a player that needed to see more of the field. Through the first eight games of the season, Koonce played between 30 and 40 percent of defensive snaps. After Pierce took over, that mark immediately jumped to at least 40 percent and ultimately settled in around a 60 percent clip. All told, in the nine games after Pierce took over as coach, Koonce tallied eight sacks and 29 total tackles, leaving little reason for the team to bench him. He's earned a significant role along the defensive line and is a prime breakout candidate heading into 2024. Read Past Outlooks
Posts 8.0 sacks in breakout season
Koonce notched 43 tackles (32 solo), including 8.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles in 17 games during the 2023 season.
ANALYSIS
Koonce blossomed into a formidable pass rusher across second-team All-Pro Maxx Crosby (knee) throughout the latter stages of the season, as the former racked up 6.0 sacks and two forced fumbles from Weeks 15-18 alone. Koonce stayed fresh by rotating defensive snaps with 2023 seventh overall pick Tyree Wilson, and this duo figures to compete against each other for a starting role again in 2024. Wilson might own the draft capital advantage, but Koonce now checks the proven production box.
Koonce blossomed into a formidable pass rusher across second-team All-Pro Maxx Crosby (knee) throughout the latter stages of the season, as the former racked up 6.0 sacks and two forced fumbles from Weeks 15-18 alone. Koonce stayed fresh by rotating defensive snaps with 2023 seventh overall pick Tyree Wilson, and this duo figures to compete against each other for a starting role again in 2024. Wilson might own the draft capital advantage, but Koonce now checks the proven production box.
NFL Stats
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2023
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2021
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
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2023 Malcolm Koonce Split Stats
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
May be poised for breakout season
Jeffri Chadiha of NFL.com believes Koonce could be in store for a breakout season in 2024.
ANALYSIS
Koonce had six sacks in his last four games of 2023 to bring his season total to eight. Between Maxx Crosby rushing the passer on the other side and the attention free-agent addition Christian Wilkins is expected to draw inside, offenses will have little choice but to leave Koonce in one-on-one matchups. Koonce will be in a contract year in 2024, and the 2021 third-round draft pick is in an ideal situation to rack up a lofty sack total and set himself up for a handsome payday.
Koonce had six sacks in his last four games of 2023 to bring his season total to eight. Between Maxx Crosby rushing the passer on the other side and the attention free-agent addition Christian Wilkins is expected to draw inside, offenses will have little choice but to leave Koonce in one-on-one matchups. Koonce will be in a contract year in 2024, and the 2021 third-round draft pick is in an ideal situation to rack up a lofty sack total and set himself up for a handsome payday.
2021 Fantasy Outlook
Koonce transcended his late-round draft projection when the Raiders selected him 79th overall in April, so the Buffalo product joins the defensive end rotation behind Yannick Ngakoue, Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell.
More Fantasy News
Makes big impact Thursday night
Koonce registered three tackles (all solo), including two sacks, and forced two fumbles in Thursday's 63-21 victory versus the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
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Good to go Monday
Koonce (groin) has no injury designation ahead of Monday night's game against the Packers.
ANALYSIS
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Dealing with injury
Koonce (groin) was a limited participant during practice Thursday.
ANALYSIS
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Heads to Vegas
The Raiders selected Koonce in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, 79th overall.
ANALYSIS
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