Las Vegas Raiders: 2021 Draft class mid-season Report Card

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 17: Cornerback Nate Hobbs #39 of the Las Vegas Raiders defends on the field during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on October 17, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 17: Cornerback Nate Hobbs #39 of the Las Vegas Raiders defends on the field during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on October 17, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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Aug 21, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Malcolm Koonce (51) sacks Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Bryce Perkins (16) in the third quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Las Vegas Raiders: 2021 Draft class mid-season Report Card

Round 3, Pick 79: Malcolm Koonce, EDGE

Eight weeks through the season and the Raiders 3rd-round pick Malcolm Koonce out of Buffalo has yet to log a snap in any game as of yet.

Koonce, like first-round pick Alex Leatherwood, is another selection that looked like a reach on draft-day, and so far that seems to be true, as early as it is to judge.

The Raiders pass-rush has been vastly superior to previous seasons with the addition of Yannick Ngakoue lining up on the opposite side of Maxx Crosby who has been playing stellar football thus far. That combined with the improvements in the secondary hasn’t warranted any big need in guys like Koonce coming off the bench and providing some spark, however, as a 3rd round pick it would be nice if that was the case.

With Clelin Ferrell seeing a decrease in playing time we will likely see the rookie on the field at some point. Hopefully, he can add to an already decent pass-rush.

  • Performance Grade: N/A
  • Pick Grade: C-

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