Raiders: What to expect in Year 2 for the 2021 NFL Draft picks
By Brad Weiss
Raiders: What to expect in Year 2 for the 2021 NFL Draft picks
Malcolm Koonce
Another exciting second-year defensive player for the Raiders is Malcolm Koonce, an edge rusher who could get a long look this summer. Koonce was a third-round pick of the Silver and Black last season, this after flashing as the best sack master the University of Buffalo had produced since Khalil Mack.
As a rookie, Koonce looked very good when he was on the field, and with Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones in the fold this year, he will likely return to a depth role. However, with his size and speed coming off the edge, you have to think Patrick Graham is going to find some way to use him, especially in pass-rush situations.
Las Vegas has gotten pretty much nothing out of Clelin Ferrell in terms of pass rush, and in his short sample as a rookie, Koonce showed he should leapfrog him in that category. With this defense, he is going to get a chance to make an impact in Year 2, but once again, he will be more of a rotational player.
Projection: Depth Edge Rusher