Raiders' Koonce Wants to Carry Development into 2024

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce finished 2023 strong and wants to carry that momentum into 2024.

The Las Vegas Raiders enjoyed breakout performances from some of their defensive linemen last season.

One of those was from third-year defensive end Malcolm Koonce, who posted career-bests across the board. 

Koonce finished the season with 43 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, and eight sacks. He showed flashes of potential in his first two seasons but did not put it all together until last year.

Koonce finished plays more often in the second half of the 2023 season, ones he did not finish earlier in the season or in the first two of his career. 

But Koonce knows there is still work to do. He wants to carry that momentum into 2024 and continue developing into a stronger pass rusher. 

Koonce discussed how he plans to attack 2024 when he joined star teammate Maxx Crosby on the latest episode of his podcast, "The Rush with Maxx Crosby."

“Realize that last season was last season, and this next season is a brand new season and starting brand new from square one," Koonce said. “With the stance, eyes, make sure I get my hands on a guy first, all that stuff. I think stuff like that will carry my performance if I keep my focus on stuff like that.” 

While Crosby resented it, there was loud and frequent noise about the Raiders needing a pass rusher opposite him to take some of the burden off his shoulders. Koonce was able to be that player for the Raiders last season. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Koonce generated 52 total pressures in 2023. In his previous two seasons, he generated just six. Over the final 10 weeks of the season, he generated 41 of those 52 pressures. 

As the season went on, Koonce improved significantly, a major factor in why the Raiders were one of the best defensive units in the league in the second half of 2023-24. He, along with other members of the Raiders’ defensive line, led a dominant pass rush. 

The Raiders still have room to grow as a defense, and part of that growth includes Koonce reaching another level in his development. If he continues to develop on the track he has begun, he could be a significant force in the league for years to come.

Click here to watch the full podcast episode with Crosby, Koonce, and several other Raiders defensive linemen.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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