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Las Vegas Raiders DE Malcolm Koonce.
There weren’t many bright spots for the Las Vegas Raiders this season. The offense and defense both had their fair share of struggles.
One of the most disappointing players was defensive end Malcolm Koonce. After getting a career-high 8.0 sacks in the 2023 season, it looked like he was headed toward stardom. Unfortunately, a knee injury caused him to miss the entire 2024 season.
The Raiders decided to bring him back on a one-year prove-it deal, but he failed to make a consistent impact. His return to 100% was a slower process than he likely would’ve liked.
That said, good pass rushers are hard to come by, and there’s always a chance he returns to the form he showed in 2023. ESPN went through one free agent that every team should try to re-sign. Ryan McFadden picked Koonce for the Raiders.
“After missing the 2024 season because of a knee injury, Koonce had a quiet return to action for the most part,” McFadden wrote. “In 17 games (three starts), Koonce totaled 30 tackles and 4.5 sacks. The Raiders’ starting defense will look a lot different in 2026. If Koonce is willing to come back on another one-year deal, he would be a solid depth piece on the defensive line.”
Is Koonce Worth Taking Another Chance On?
Somebody is going to take a chance on Koonce this offseason, so why not the Raiders? He was drafted by the team and has already spent five years with them.
Even if the Raiders find a better option to start opposite Maxx Crosby, he could at least provide depth. The key will be how much he’s looking to get paid. He made $11 million last season, but it’s hard to see Las Vegas paying him that much again.
If he’s willing to sign for a contract in the $5 million range, then the Raiders should pounce. Another team could be willing to give him more, but the Raiders can’t overpay him after a lackluster season. Koonce still has some potential, but he’ll be 28 next season, so it’s not like he’s still a young player.
Other Free Agents Raiders Should Re-Sign
The Raiders weren’t brimming with talent this season, so the list of players they need to re-sign isn’t big. That said, there are some players who need to be brought back.
Cornerback Eric Stokes is the most obvious choice. He was a very good starter for the Raiders this season and was able to stay healthy. He could be the team’s CB1 next season. He definitely did enough to earn a multi-year extension from Las Vegas.
Kicker Daniel Carlson is an interesting decision. He’s previously been an All-Pro, but he’s been less consistent the last couple of seasons. Great kickers aren’t easy to come by, so the Raiders might want to bring him back on a one-year deal.
Offensive guard Dylan Parham isn’t one of the better guards in the NFL, but he’s started a lot of games for the Raiders. Guards with experience can go for big money on the open market, but if Parham’s price is low, it makes sense for the team to bring him back.
Austin Boyd has covered the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Lakers for Heavy.com since 2019. A Los Angeles native now based in Las Vegas, his featured work at Heavy includes interviews with NFL stars Darren Waller and Joe Montana, and a behind-the-scenes look at “The Shop.” More about Austin Boyd
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