Las Vegas Raiders rookies: What each draft pick will struggle with in 2021

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 6: Alex Leatherwood #70 of the Alabama Crimson Tide blocks against Armon Watts #90 of the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Crimson Tide defeated the Razorbacks 65-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 6: Alex Leatherwood #70 of the Alabama Crimson Tide blocks against Armon Watts #90 of the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Crimson Tide defeated the Razorbacks 65-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
5 of 7
Raiders
PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 22: Malcolm Koonce #50 of the Buffalo Bulls high-fives fans after the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at HighPoint.com Stadium on September 22, 2018, in Piscataway, New Jersey. Buffalo won 42-13. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)

Las Vegas Raiders rookies: What each draft pick will struggle with in 2021

Malcolm Koonce’s size could make for struggles early on

When it comes to pure talent, University of Buffalo star Malcolm Koonce has everything you need to be a star at the next level. The knock on Koonce, however, is his size, as some feel he won’t be able to get the edge at the next level the way he did as a star for the Buffs.

Standing at 6-foot-2, and weighing 250 pounds, Koonce is not as big as most of the edge rushers in the league, and eventually, he could be a player that is moved to outside linebacker. However, he also could end up being a lightning bolt coming off the edge for the Raiders and will have the opportunity to learn behind some great edge rushers like Yannick Ngakoue and Maxx Crosby.

As a rookie, Koonce will likely be put in a position to succeed on pass-rushing downs, as he is not a guy who is going to start right away. In fact, he may end up being a player that Gus Bradley moves all around this defense, because while he does not have elite size, he has an elite motor, and is keen at getting into the backfield.

Schedule